VA Puget Sound Nationally Recognized for its Commitment to Providing High-Quality Stroke Care for Sixth Consecutive Year

 

So, 6 years of incompetence in not moving from 'care' to RECOVERY?

This is the whole problem in stroke enumerated in one word; 'care'; NOT RECOVERY!

If your hospital is touting 'care' it means they are a failure because they are delivering 'care'; NOT RECOVERY! I would never go to a failed hospital!

YOU have to get involved and change this failure mindset of 'care' to 100% RECOVERY! Survivors want RECOVERY, NOT 'CARE'!

I see nothing here that states going for 100% recovery! You need to create EXACT PROTOCOLS FOR THAT!

ASK SURVIVORS WHAT THEY WANT, THEY'LL NEVER RESPOND 'CARE'! This tyranny of low expectations has to be completely rooted out of any stroke conversation! I wouldn't go there because of such incompetency as not having 100% recovery protocols!

RECOVERY IS THE ONLY GOAL IN STROKE! 

GET THERE!'

VA Puget Sound Nationally Recognized for its Commitment to Providing High-Quality Stroke Care for Sixth Consecutive Year

SEATTLE, July 11, 2025–For the sixth year in a row, VA Puget Sound Health Care System received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment.

 This is according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

VA Puget Sound also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care(NOT RECOVERY!) when hospitalized due to stroke.

 

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize VA Puget Sound Health Care System for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “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.”

 

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

 

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care(NOT RECOVERY!) is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care(NOT RECOVERY!) by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

 

“At VA Puget Sound we remain committed to helping our Veterans experience longer, healthier lives,” said VA Puget Sound Neurology and Stroke Coordinator Maria Kimmerle. “Our continued recognition by the American Heart Association is further proof of our commitment to improving patient care(NOT RECOVERY!) by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines. And the 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.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care(NOT RECOVERY!) for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

About VA Puget Sound

VA Puget Sound provides comprehensive care to approximately 160,000 Veterans across the Pacific Northwest enrolled with a primary care team at one main campuses (American Lake and Seattle), outpatient clinics (Everett, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup and Silverdale) and Community Resource & Referral Centers (Georgetown in Seattle and Renton). For more information visit www.va.gov/puget-sound-health-care or call 800-329-8387. For Veterans in Crisis, please use the Veterans Crisis line at 988 (press 1).

 

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org