Multiple Medical Center locations recognized for heart attack, stroke care

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Several Med Center Health locations across Kentucky are being recognized for heart attack and stroke care.

According to releases by Med Center Health on Monday, The Medical Centers at Albany, Caverna, Franklin, Russellville and Scottsville have received awards by The American Heart Association for both types of care.

Med Center Health says its rural hospitals received 13 awards in total, celebrating each one’s focus on improving rural health care, especially during emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes.

The awards included the following:

• Get With The Guidelines®️ – Rural Coronary Artery Disease NSTE-ACS
• Get With The Guidelines®️ – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center
• Get With The Guidelines®️ – Rural Stroke Award
• Get With The Guidelines®️ – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI

Every year, health officials say over 1 million cases of acute coronary syndrome require hospitalization in the U.S., while about 30% of acute coronary syndrome cases are classified as STEMI, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.

“When someone experiences a STEMI heart attack, American Heart Association guidelines call for specific actions performed in the hospital in a consistent and timely fashion to prevent further myocardial damage and to save lives,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, co-author on the American Heart Association’s presidential advisory on rural health. “Where you live should not determine if you live, and rural communities deserve high-quality cardiac care. These Med Center Health rural hospitals are recognized for consistently providing these patients with the care, guidance, and medical therapy they need to give them the best chance of survival.”

In addition, The Medical Center at Bowling Green has received the American Heart Associations Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke GoldPlus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive appropriate treatment, according to a release.

According to Med Center Health, stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S.

Health officials say 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.

“We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition, because it reflects the hard work, dedication, and teamwork our team members display each and every day,” said Jen Meffert, Clinical Manager of Neurology & Stroke Program at The Medical Center at Bowling Green. Achievement of this recognition requires extensive collaboration across our multidisciplinary team. Every team member involved in a stroke patient’s care plays an important role in reducing the impact of stroke. In stroke care, Time is Brain, and our team is dedicated to acting quickly to provide each patient the best chance for recovery. We hope that this award gives our community confidence that if they or a loved one experiences a stroke, our team members are equipped with the resources and knowledge to provide excellent care when every minute matters. “

The Medical Center at Bowling Green also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award.

To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must aim to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.