Covington County Hospital has received two American Heart Association ‘Get With The Guidelines®’ achievement awards for demonstrating a commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke or heart attack, and heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.
Get With The Guidelines put 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 evidence- and research-based guidelines. As a participant in the Get With The Guidelines program, Covington County Hospital qualified for the awards by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care.
“Covington County Hospital is committed to improving patient care by following treatment guidelines and refining processes to ensure swift and proper care for heart attacks and strokes. When seconds and minutes count, it’s imperative that we follow these guidelines – our goal is to stabilize the patient and transfer to a facility that best meets their medical condition said, Lynn Scott, RN, Chief Patient Care Officer:
Shelia Duckworth, ER Director, emphasized that the seamless teamwork between our ER staff and EMS staff is evident in the ability to recognize symptoms even before the patient arrives in the ER. This demonstrates the high level of coordination and care that our medical team provides, ensuring that patients receive timely and effective treatment from the moment they come into contact with our healthcare system.
Get With The Guidelines programs facilitate the daily application of established knowledge and guidelines by our teams, thereby contributing to an increased number of individuals in Covington County who receive timely treatment.
This year, Covington County Hospital is recognized by the American Heart Association for the following achievement awards:
2024 Get with the Guidelines Rural Stroke SILVER – 4 consecutive quarters and > 2 stroke or TIA records annually.
2024 Get with the Guidelines Rural Stroke BRONZE –One calendar quarter and > 1 stroke or TIA record per quarter.
“These awards show CCH’s commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee and chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern Medicine. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, CCH can help realize our shared vision of improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions, and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families, and communities.”
