DHR Health Nationally Recognized by American Heart Association for Commitment to High-Quality Stroke Care

EDINBURG, TX— DHR Health has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus with Advanced Therapy awards for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Stroke is the No. 5 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. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy to remove the clot causing the stroke.

“At DHR Health, we are deeply committed to providing the highest quality care for stroke patients across the Rio Grande Valley,” said Marissa Castañeda, DHR Health senior executive vice president. “Get With The Guidelines helps our care team stay aligned with the latest evidence-based practices, so we can deliver timely, effective treatment and give our patients the best chance at recovery and long-term health.”

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.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize DHR Health for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., 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 readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

DHR Health has also been re-designated as a Level I Comprehensive Stroke Center from the State of Texas and are dual-certified from the DNV and TJC. This re-designation and dual-certifications reflect DHR Health’s commitment in providing a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

As a nationally recognized high-quality stroke center, DHR Health remains dedicated to providing comprehensive, timely, and patient-centered care for stroke patients across the Rio Grande Valley.