Baxter Health recognized for excellence in stroke treatment

Baxter Health has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award for its efforts to provide stroke patients with care that meets nationally recognized, evidence-based guidelines.

The award recognizes hospitals that consistently follow treatment protocols shown to improve outcomes for stroke patients. Baxter Health also earned the association’s Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll award for meeting criteria that reduce the time between a patient’s arrival and the administration of thrombolytic therapy.

“Baxter Health is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Charity Schaufler, BSN, RN, Stroke Coordinator. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better.”

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States and a major cause of long-term disability. Quick detection and treatment are critical to improving survival and minimizing long-term effects.

Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program designed to help hospitals ensure stroke care aligns with the latest research and clinical standards. Participating hospitals are also expected to educate patients about stroke recovery and ongoing health management.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Baxter Health for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Dr. Steven Messe, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer re-admissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

Baxter Health serves Mountain Home and the surrounding region.