BMH Recognized For Implementing Quality Cardiac and Stroke Care

September 15, 2009 — (BUTLER, PA) — Butler Memorial Hospital has been recognized by The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for its performance in treating cardiac and stroke patients through their Get with The Guidelines program. BMH joins 569 other hospitals featured recently in the "America's Best Hospitals" issue of US News and World Report.

GWTG is a hospital based quality-improvement program designed to ensure that hospitals consistently care for cardiac and stroke patients following the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations. The program provides three modules that address coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke. Currently more than 1,450 hospitals use one or more GWTG modules.

Upon meeting each module's criteria, hospitals are recognized if at least 85 percent of their cardiac or stroke patients are treated and discharged according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's recommendations.

"The American Heart Association is pleased to recognize its top Get With the Guidelines participants," says Gregg C. Fonarow, M.D., national chairman, Get With The Guidelines steering committee and director, Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center. "The program makes it easier for hospitals like BMH to provide appropriate evidence-based care and ultimately improve the quality of life and help reduce the number of deaths in these heart and stroke patients."

"We are proud that the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have chosen the America's Best Hospitals' issue of US News & World Report to recognize BMH for our achievements in their Get with The Guidelines program," said Ken DeFurio, president & CEO of Butler Health System. "Get With The Guidelines gives our professionals the tools and reports they need to effectively treat our coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke patients.