STHS Edinburg Earns National Recognition For Its Commitment To Providing High-Quality Stroke Care

STHS Edinburg has earned the Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Silver Plus Award from the American Heart Association & American Stroke Association for its proven dedication to best practices and life-saving care

Every 40 minutes, someone in the United States experiences a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making the medical emergency a leading cause of death and disability nationwide.

Occurring when blood flow to the brain is interrupted due to a blood clot or rupture of a blood vessel, which causes brain cells to die, a stroke demands immediate medical attention. Prompt action can significantly reduce the severity of long-term effects and save lives.

Following treatment guidelines is essential for preventing and managing strokes. Developed by organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association (ASA), the clinical practice guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for healthcare professionals on stroke management.

Adhering to these guidelines can significantly improve patient outcomes, reduce the risk of complications and prevent disability and death.

In the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas Health System Edinburg – a Primary (Level III) Stroke Center, as designated by Texas Department of State Health Services – has earned national recognition for its commitment to providing high-quality stroke care.

A member of the STHS Neurosciences & Stroke Institute, the largest network of stroke care in the four-county region, STHS Edinburg has been awarded the Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Silver Plus quality achievement award by the AHA and ASA.

The honor is bestowed by the non-profit organizations to facilities that demonstrate a commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke, leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

“STHS Edinburg is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines for stroke,” said Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg & STHS Children’s. “Get With The Guidelines allows our emergency room personnel to put expert-proven knowledge into practice every day, which studies find helps patients recover better. Our goal is to ensure more people in the Rio Grande Valley experience longer, healthier lives.”

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 STHS Edinburg 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.”

In addition, STHS Edinburg received the AHA’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award, which aims to ensure patients with type 2 diabetes, who may be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

“STHS Edinburg is grateful for the hard-working care teams and their unwavering dedication to positive patient outcomes,” says Ames. “This recognition reflects their continued focus on providing high-quality stroke care.”

For more information about STHS Edinburg’s stroke services, visit www.southtexashealthsystemedinburg.com.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.