Providence Earns National Recognition for Excellence in Heart, Stroke care

Aug. 31, 2009

PORTLAND, Ore. — Providence has long been regarded as a leader in providing excellent care for heart and stroke patients – and now, there are new national recognitions that enhance that reputation.
Providence Portland and Providence St. Vincent medical centers have once again been awarded the “Get With The Guidelines – Gold Sustained Performance Awards” by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Both hospitals received gold awards for stroke care. In addition, in the treatment of coronary artery disease, Providence Portland Medical Center received a gold award for the fifth consecutive year, while Providence St. Vincent Medical Center received its fourth consecutive gold award.

For the first time, as a group, three Providence community hospitals – Providence Newberg, Providence Seaside and Providence Hood River – received the silver performance achievement award for their stroke care.

The American Heart Association recognized Providence’s awards in a recent announcement in the “America’s Best Hospitals” issue of U.S. News & World Report.

“We are proud that the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association chose the ‘America’s Best Hospitals’ issue to recognize Providence’s accomplishments in the Get With The Guidelines program,” said Dave Underriner, chief executive for Providence’s Portland Service Area. “Being honored for excellent patient care is the best recognition a health care organization can get.”

Get With The Guidelines is a hospital-based, quality-improvement program designed to ensure hospitals consistently care for cardiac and stroke patients following the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations.

Hospitals are recognized in each category in which they achieve at least 85 percent compliance to Get With The Guidelines measures. Those hospitals marking 85 percent compliance for 24 consecutive months are given the Gold Performance Achievement Award, with the Silver Performance Achievement award going to those with 85 percent compliance for 12 consecutive months.

Providence Heart and Vascular Institute, an internationally renowned leader in cardiac and vascular care, research and education, is the largest provider of cardiac services in the Pacific Northwest.

very year, more than 13,000 patients benefit from the latest advances in diagnosis, treatment and cardiac surgery. Providence Stroke Center is the first nationally certified stroke center in Oregon and is actively engaged in clinical research. Providence Stroke Center cares for more stroke patients than any other health system in Oregon.