Lakeview Regional receives award for quality stroke care

Lakeview Hospital , a campus of Tulane Medical Center, has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke GOLD PLUS Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes a hospital's commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

This marks the 4th consecutive year Lakeview Regional has been recognized with this award.

"We work hard to improve the quality of care for our heart and stroke patients, and implementing the American Heart Association's Get With the Guidelines initiative is a key component," said Dr. Jacques Guillot, Lakeview Regional's chief medical officer. "The tools and resources help us track and measure our success, while also improving patient outcomes."

Lakeview Regional 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 also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled and other care transition interventions.

Dr. Guillot encouraged patients to follow the American Heart Association's seven goals for heart health, which include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding excess weight, not smoking and keeping blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar within a healthy range.

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, nearly half of all U.S. adults have some type of cardiovascular disease. This percentage reflects recently updated guidelines used to treat blood pressure; high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, heart failure and stroke. The Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program helps hospital teams provide the latest, research-based guidelines with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery. Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke has impacted more than 5 million patients nationwide since 2003.