MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital has been honored with the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines© – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award. This accolade recognizes the hospital’s dedication to providing stroke patients with the most appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately saving more lives and reducing disability.

Stroke ranks as the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. It occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts, leading to brain cell death. Early detection and treatment are crucial for improving survival, minimizing disability, and accelerating recovery.

Get With The Guidelines leverages the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to help hospitals nationwide align patient care with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. This in-hospital program promotes consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

“OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Curt Gingrich, MD, president of Mansfield and Shelby Hospitals. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work daily, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in Mansfield and surrounding communities can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating their commitment to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “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.”

This year, Mansfield Hospital has also been recognized with the following American Heart Association honors:

1. Target: Stroke Honor Roll
2. Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

To qualify for the Target: Stroke Honor Roll award, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy. Target: Type 2 Diabetes ensures that patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.