CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Chesapeake Regional Medical Center is getting some national recognition.
In July the hospital received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Gold Plus Stroke quality achievement and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus.
It was also ranked #14 in the state according to a report by U.S. News & World.
Dr. John Baker, co-Chief of Neurosciences, called the awards not only an honor but a recognition that places the hospital within the comprehensive care group for many specialties, including stroke care.
"I believe this is the sixth time that we have received the Gold Plus Stroke award," said Baker. "There are about 160 in the country out of 55 hundred places providing stroke care - so it's a pretty big deal to be a part of that elite group at the top."
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts.
Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
Dr. Baker said his staff is continuing to reduce the time it takes to administer stroke medicine, and in these types of cases, every second truly does count.
"First it was in 60 minutes, then it was in 45 minutes, now we are trying to get down to 30 minutes or less of giving these medicines - which becomes more of a challenge to do things faster and faster, but continue to be safe," said Dr. Baker.
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center is not the only Hampton Roads hospital receiving recognition. Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara Leigh Hospital, and Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital were also recognized as some of the best hospitals in Virginia.
Riverside Regional Medical Center, Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital and Riverside Walter Reed Hospital also received the 2024 American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines—Stroke Gold PLUS Quality Achievement Award.
The acute care hospitals also earned the recognition of Target — Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll for their commitment to providing research-based, high-quality stroke care for presenting patients with type 2 diabetes. Riverside Regional Medical Center was additionally honored to receive the Target – Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus.