The American Heart Association (AHA) recently recognized Blessing Hospital with three honors for the stroke care it provides - including, for the first time, the Get with the Guidelines Stroke Rural Recognition Silver award.
The Stroke Rural Recognition award honors select providers for their work to continuously improve stroke care and overcome unique challenges faced by rural residents. AHA data shows that people who live in rural communities face a 30% increased risk of dying as the result of a stroke.
To earn Rural Recognition, providers must meet at least 7 of 10 national standards for stroke care. Those standards include the hospital being notified by first responders of stroke symptoms before the patient arrives at the hospital and ensuring the patient is seen by a doctor that specializes in stroke care.
In addition to the Rural Recognition award, for the fifth consecutive year Blessing Hospital earned AHA’s Get With the Guidelines Gold level Plus recognition for meeting or exceeding national core standard levels of care in the treatment of stroke patients.
The “plus” in the name of the award includes the following individual achievements: Stroke Honor Roll Elite recognition for following processes that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with a blood clot-buster drug; and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition for ensuring patients with Type 2 diabetes, who can be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
Between May 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025, 304 patients were diagnosed and treated for stroke at Blessing Hospital and 124 patients were diagnosed and treated for Transient Ischemic Attacks, or TIAs, also known as mini-strokes. TIAs often occur shortly before a complete stroke.
“We are proud that our team is being recognized for the important work we do every day to improve the lives of people in the Tri-State area who are affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chance of recovery and survival,” said Christopher Solaro, MD, PhD, CPE, Chief Medical Officer and Blessing Stroke Committee Physician Champion.
The Blessing Hospital Stroke Committee, consisting of caregivers from different departments, is responsible for ensuring their fellow caregivers are educated regarding national standards of care and they face no barriers in the timely delivery of quality stroke care. In addition, the committee raises public awareness regarding the risks and warning signs of stroke. Rachel Vogel, MSN, BSN, RN, SCRN (Stroke Certified Registered Nurse) is the committee’s Clinical Quality Coordinator.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in America. 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.
To learn more about stroke, its risk factors and how to recognize and respond to symptoms, go to blessinghealth.org/stroke.