American Heart Association award comes less than two months after The Joint Commission and American Stroke Association recognized RUMC for its high quality stroke care.
Less than two months after being accredited as an Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center by the American Stroke Association and The Joint Commission, Richmond University Medical Center has now earned the Get With the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award from the American Heart Association. At the same time, RUMC also earned the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award for its care of stroke patients who also have Type 2 diabetes.
RUMC earned the Gold Plus award, the highest level possible, for its continuous commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. It is the seventh consecutive year that RUMC’s stroke program has earned Gold Plus distinction.
Chief Medical Officer, Chair of Medicine, and Chief of Endocrinology for RUMC, Philip Otterbeck, MD, said “This recognition from the American Heart Association is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our multidisciplinary stroke team and our commitment to delivering timely, evidence-based care that improves outcomes and saves lives. It reflects our ongoing investment in clinical excellence, innovation, and quality improvement in stroke care.”
Patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes may be at higher risk for complications after suffering a stroke. The American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award was presented to RUMC for continuously demonstrating specialized care for diabetic stroke patients, ensuring they receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized. This year’s Honor Roll award marks the fourth consecutive year that RUMC has earned this specialized award from the American Heart Association.
“Stroke patients with Type 2 diabetes face a more complex recovery, and this Honor Roll recognition underscores the depth of our clinical expertise,” Dr. Otterbeck said. “This distinction highlights our team’s ability to address not just the stroke itself, but the metabolic and vascular challenges that often accompany it, ensuring a more holistic and effective approach to patient care.”
The Get With The Guidelines program puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.
Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
“Richmond University Medical Center is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” RUMC President and CEO, Daniel J. Messina, PhD, FACHE, said. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in Staten Island can experience longer, healthier lives and receive the highest quality care close to home.”
According to the American Heart Association, stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. When that happens, the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, causing brain cells to die. In 2022, stroke accounted for approximately 1 of every 20 deaths in the United States. Over 165,300 deaths were due to stroke and someone in the United States suffered a stroke every 3 minutes, 11 seconds.
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Richmond University Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” Steven Messe, MD, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group, said. “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.”
In May of this year, RUMC earned the distinction of Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center from both the American Stroke Association and The Joint Commission for its expertise and high-quality care performing thrombectomies for patients who have suffered a stroke. A thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure where a hair-thin catheter is inserted into a stroke victim to remove a blood clot from a vein or artery, restoring normal blood flow. Richmond University Medical Center first launched its thrombectomy program in 2019.
Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), is a not-for-profit healthcare provider serving the ethnically diverse community of Staten Island and its neighbors. We provide premier-quality patient care through a full spectrum of emergent, acute, primary, behavioral health and educational services. We do this in an environment that promotes the highest satisfaction among patients, families, physicians and staff. For more information call 1-718-818-1234 or visit www.rumcsi.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
