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NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines^®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for the third year.

The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

"Our ‘No-Wait’ Emergency Department has once again received this prestigious award, evidence of the outstanding quality of care our staff provides," said John C. Federspiel, President of NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital. "What this means is that stroke patients who come into our hospital receive the most aggressive treatment, greatly improving their chances of avoiding long-term disabilities."

To receive the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines^®-Stroke achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month periods and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight Get With The Guidelines^®-Stroke Quality measures.

These quality measures are designed to help hospital teams provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. They focus on appropriate use of guideline-based care, including aggressive use of medications such as clot-busting and anti-clotting drugs, blood thinners and cholesterol-reducing drugs, preventive action for deep vein thrombosis and smoking cessation counseling.

May is National Stroke Awareness month when cardiovascular and emergency professionals focus on stroke prevention and steps the community can take to prevent stroke. The month was first proclaimed by President George H.W. Bush in 1989 and has been recognized ever since as a special time to increase stroke awareness with educational efforts.

Symptoms of stroke may be sudden and include:

• Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding
• Problems with vision such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination

If you experience any of these symptoms call 911 immediately. Treatment is most effective when started immediately.