Upstate University Hospital has been recognized for its exemplary care in the areas of stroke, heart failure and resuscitation by the American Heart Association. These quality achievement awards represent Upstate’s commitment to improving the outcomes for patients with stroke, heart failure and in need of resuscitation, meaning reduced admissions and more healthy days at home. 

“Upstate University Hospital is especially proud to receive these accolades from the American Heart Association,” said Robert Corona, DO, MBA, chief executive officer of Upstate University Hospital. “These awards reflect the commitment of our health care teams to provide the best and safest care to our patients.”

“We are pleased to recognize Upstate University Hospital for its commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said John Warner, MD, FAHA, past president of the American Heart Association and CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “Hospitals that follow the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols often see improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates—a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

The awards presented to Upstate are the:

—Get With the Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Achievement Award.

The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to providing the most appropriate stroke treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Upstate earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

Upstate’s stroke care has been honored previously by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Upstate is the region’s first Comprehensive Stroke Center as designated by DNV Healthcare, a national hospital accrediting body.

—Get With the Guidelines®-Heart Failure Gold Plus with Target Heart Failure Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

The Get With The Guidelines—Heart Failure quality achievement award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association. Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. The program aims to increase healthy days at home and reduce hospital readmissions for heart failure patients.

Upstate has been honored previously by the American Heart Association for its Heart Failure program.

Get with the Guidelines^® Resuscitation Gold Achievement Award.

The Get With The Guidelines—Resuscitation program was developed to help save lives of patients who experience in-hospital cardiac arrests by consistently following the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for treatment as outlined by the American Heart Association. Guidelines include following protocols for patient safety, medical emergency team response, effective and timely resuscitation (CPR) and post-resuscitation care. Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure the care provided to patients is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines.

Upstate has been honored with Get with the Guidelines Quality Awards for the past several years.

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.

Caption: Register nurse Natasha Zmitrowitz receives the quality award for Heart Failure from Jason Pomeroy, executive director of American Heart Association, Syracuse.