ABQ Times

The University of New Mexico Hospital has been awarded the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke: GoldPlus quality achievement award. This recognition highlights the hospital's commitment to providing stroke patients with appropriate treatment, ultimately saving lives and reducing disability according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

Additionally, UNM Hospital earned a place on the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll by meeting criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke. The hospital also made it onto the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, ensuring that patients with Type 2 diabetes receive up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

“Congratulations to our teams who earned these honors. This recognition is a testament to their dedication and exceptional care for our stroke patients. Providing top-tier stroke care is crucial to New Mexicans, where timely intervention can make a significant difference. Our team’s expertise and commitment to quality care ensures our community receives the best possible outcomes during critical moments,” said Kate Becker, CEO of UNM Hospital.

Stroke remains a significant health issue in the United States as it is the fifth leading cause of death and a major cause of disability. It occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked or bursts, leading to brain cell death due to lack of oxygen. Early detection and treatment are essential for improving survival rates, minimizing disability, and accelerating recovery times.

Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke is an in-hospital program designed to improve stroke care by promoting adherence to these guidelines, which can help minimize long-term effects and prevent fatalities.

"We are honored to receive the 2024 Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus, Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll awards. This recognition represents our tireless dedication to providing the best possible care for patients and improving stroke and diabetes treatment at UNM Hospital," stated Steve McLaughlin, MD, Chief Medical Officer at UNM Hospital.

The UNM Hospital Stroke Center operates around-the-clock every day of the year and treats nearly 800 stroke or suspected stroke patients annually. According to Tarun Girotra, MD., “One person in the United States dies from stroke every three minutes.”