Contact:
Karen Tripmacher
Assistant Director, Community Relations and Special Projects
Public Affairs
(516) 663-2234
Mineola, NY - January 25, 2008 - Winthrop-University Hospital, a New York State-designated Primary Stroke Center, was recently recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's (AHA/ASA) Get with the Guidelines Program SM (GWTG) with the Gold level performance achievement award for stroke patient care. Winthrop is the first hospital on Long Island and Queens to achieve Gold level status, the highest level of recognition awarded by the AHA/ASA for the GWTG program, and will be recognized at the International Stroke Conference in February.
The GWTG program is a quality-improvement program that helps hospitals ensure that patients consistently receive cardiac and stroke care in accordance with the most up-to-date scientific guidelines and recommendations. The Gold award recognizes hospitals who achieve performance scores of 85 percent or greater compliance with quality standards for 24+ consecutive months.
Winthrop was previously recognized with the Silver level award for 12 consecutive months of 85% or greater compliance with the quality measures. These awards recognize Winthrop's unwavering commitment to quality and their success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.
"It requires a lot of diligent work and continuous monitoring by physicians, physician assistants and nurses to provide proper care for stroke victims," said Elzbieta Wirkowski, MD, Director of the Cerebrovascular Program at Winthrop. "Thankfully, we have a very devoted
Stroke Team Available 24/7 at Winthrop.
Because of the dedication of the team in our Neurosciences Unit, as well as the rapid response of staff to patients exhibiting stroke symptoms in the Emergency Department, we were able to be the first on Long Island and Queens to achieve Gold level status."
The American Heart Association added their congratulations. "The American Heart Association applauds Winthrop-University Hospital's ongoing commitment to using the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's scientific guidelines to ensure the highest quality of care for its cardiac and/or stroke patients," said Gregg C. Fonarow, MD, American Heart Association volunteer chairman for the national GWTG Steering Committee. "By implementing and maintaining the association's recommended protocols, Winthrop is translating guidelines into lifelines by giving its patients the high level of care that they need and deserve."
For additional information about Winthrop-Univeristy Hospital and its programs and services, please call 1-866-WINTHROP.
