SMH Recognized as Role Model for Best Practices, Life-Saving Stroke Care

July 19, 2024 | Sarasota

Sarasota Memorial Hospital received top awards this week from the American Heart Association (AHA) for providing sustained, superior care to patients experiencing stroke emergencies.

As part of its annual “Get With The Guidelines” annual quality review, the AHA recognizes hospitals not only for following best practices, but also for doing so consistently, year after year, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

James Fiorica, MD, chief medical officer of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, credits the hospital’s superior performance and patient outcomes to the expertise of clinicians, as well as the commitment of hospital leaders to evidence-based, high-quality care.

“From the specialized doctors, nurses, and therapists at the bedside to our clinical managers, administrative leaders and the Hospital Board, our entire team is focused on making sure each patient benefits from the latest treatments and technologies available and reducing the risk of long-term damage from stroke,” Dr. Fiorica said.

In this year’s study, both Sarasota Memorial’s Sarasota and Venice campuses received the AHA highest stroke awards and additional honors for their dedication to best practices and life-saving care for stroke patients:

Stroke Gold Plus Award
The AHA awarded SMH-Sarasota and Venice campuses with its Stroke Gold Plus quality award – the highest designation hospitals can achieve for demonstrating superior performance for at least two consecutive years, often exceeding AHA standards for accurate diagnosis, rapid response, evidence-based treatment and responsible follow-up care, education and rehabilitation for stroke patients. In addition to Gold Plus awards, AHA gave each campus two additional awards for fast-tracking specialized care to stroke patients:

• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus recognizes SMH’s ability to deliver life-saving interventions (door to needle time) in less than 45 minutes to 75% of applicable stroke patients, and in less than 30 minutes to at least 50% of applicable stroke patients.

• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll reflects additional safety measures Sarasota Memorial has in place to identify and manage potential complications of stroke patients with Type 2 diabetes.

AHA plans to recognize Sarasota Memorial in the upcoming “Best Hospitals” edition of U.S. News and World Report. On Tuesday, Sarasota Memorial was recognized by U.S. News for 24 high-performing medical specialties, conditions and procedures. Among others, U.S. News  ranked SMH among the nation’s 50 best rehabilitation hospitals for the highly specialized care it provides to patients recovering from stroke and other complex conditions.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Sarasota Memorial Health Care System for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “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.”