South San Francisco, CA September 17, 2021 Submitted by Matt Skryja, Kaiser Permanente
The American Heart Association recognizes Kaiser Permanente San Francisco and South San Francisco hospitals for treating stroke and heart failure patients according to nationally uniform, treatment-based guidelines
Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are being recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) for delivering high-quality, exceptional care to stroke and heart failure patients.
Twenty Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals received the Get With The Guidelines®-Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and the Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus Award: San Francisco, South San Francisco, Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Antioch, Fremont, Fresno, Modesto, Oakland, Redwood City, Richmond, Roseville, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, Santa Clara, South Sacramento, Vacaville, Vallejo and Walnut Creek. Manteca also received the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus Award.
AHA presents the awards to hospitals that are committed to using the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized guidelines founded in the latest scientific evidence. Kaiser Permanente hospitals are regularly recognized among the nation’s leaders in cardiovascular care.
According to a 2018 study in the American Journal of Medicine, the overall rates of heart disease and stroke mortality are lower for Kaiser Permanente Northern California members compared to the rest of the country. In 2000, for instance, U.S. heart disease mortality was 39.3 percent higher than in the Kaiser Permanente group, while stroke mortality was about the same for both. But by 2015, U.S. heart disease mortality was 43.2 percent higher than in Kaiser Permanente Northern California members and stroke mortality was 13.3 percent higher in the U.S. population than among the Kaiser Permanente members.
“More than 868,000 Americans die every year from heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases. By using the latest evidence-based treatment protocols and focusing on prevention, we are improving patient care outcomes and saving lives every day,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “This recognition reflects our commitment to consistently deliver exceptional care to the patients and members we serve.”
“Our clinical care teams, our integrated model of care, and our technology operations and innovation enable us to rapidly treat and care for our cardiac and stroke patients with compassion and industry-leading medical excellence,” said Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS, chief executive officer and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “We remain committed to ensuring our stroke and heart failure patients receive the highest quality care and outcomes to help them lead healthy and productive lives.”
The Get With The Guidelines®-Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award is earned by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and aggressive risk-reduction therapies. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their heart failure and overall health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.
The Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award is earned by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.
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Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve almost 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org