WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Novant Health medical centers in North Carolina have received multiple Get With The Guidelines® awards from the American Heart Association (AHA) in recognition of their remarkable heart and stroke care.
“We’re proud to once again be recognized by the American Heart Association for our commitment to high quality care for our patients,” said Dr. Eric Deshaies, system physician executive for Novant Health Neuroscience & Psychiatry Institute. “More than half of Novant Health’s hospitals have achieved stroke certification from The Joint Commission, and we’re dedicated to the advancement of stroke care through artificial intelligence and emerging therapies. The Get With The Guidelines recognition is a testament to our commitment.”
Get With The Guidelines is the American Heart Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides tools and resources to increase adherence to the latest research-based guidelines for heart and stroke patients.
To receive one or more of the awards, hospitals must maintain proven quality indicators known to speed patient recovery and reduce death and disability for patients. The award levels reflect the amount of time the hospital has consistently adhered to the indicators.
The following Novant Health facilities were recognized with Gold Plus awards.
- Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
- Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center
- Novant Health Matthews Medical Center
- Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
- Novant Health Rowan Medical Center
- Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center
Two Novant Health facilities received Silver Plus recognition.
- Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center
- Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center
In addition, Novant Health received the STEMI regional recognition for Mission: Lifeline® program.
The impact of COVID-19 on heart and stroke care
Since the onset of COVID-19, emergency room visits for heart attack and stroke have decreased by about 40% across the country. Research indicates that patients are delaying critical care because of concerns or misinformation that emergency medical providers are too busy to care for them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the alarming trend, Novant Health has joined the American Heart Association’s Don’t Die of Doubt campaign.
“Emergency room visits at Novant Health facilities decreased by approximately 50% once COVID-19 reached our communities,” said Dr. Gary Niess, system physician executive for Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute. “Unfortunately, patients are arriving to the emergency room gravely ill because they are delaying treatment. We’ve been a longstanding partner of the American Heart Association, and we’re joining them in support of the Don’t Die of Doubt campaign to raise community awareness about the serious health risks of ignoring symptoms of heart attack or stroke.”
Novant Health and the American Heart Association urge the public to seek, not delay, immediate care if they are experiencing symptoms of heart attack or stroke. When it comes to heart attack or stroke, every minute matters. Arriving at the hospital within 30 minutes of a heart attack or stroke leads to the best outcomes.
For more information about Don’t Die of Doubt, visit Heart.org/DontDieofDoubt. For information or resources about Novant Health’s response to COVID-19, visit NovantHealth.org/coronavirus.
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