Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital reported Wednesday it has earned recognition from the American Heart Association — the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus Achievement Award — for its work quickly diagnosing and treating stroke patients.
Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital’s began its critical stroke program began in May 2022, and was designated as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center in May 2023.
“We understand the importance of quickly identifying a possible stroke and administering appropriate treatment,” said Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital Critical Care Physician & Chief Quality Officer Joel Santora. “This recognition affirms our dedication to always providing the highest quality stroke care to our patients, which increases the chances of a better outcome and reduces the possibility of long-term health impacts.”
A stroke occurs when there is a loss of blood flow to part of the brain from a blood vessel that is either blocked by a clot or has ruptured. Every year in the United States, nearly 800,000 people have a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association and a leading cause of long-term disability.
As part of its treatment and patient care, St. Cloud Hospital's stroke team educates patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home, plus connects them to resources for follow-up care, a release from the hospital said Wednesday.
