HJAR Nov/Dec 2022

62 NOV / DEC 2022  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS Hospital Rounds patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke. Stroke is the fifth leading 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 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. Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nation- wide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research and evidence-based guide- lines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in- hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guide- lines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death. “We are incredibly pleased to recognize CHI St. Vincent North for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, MD, chairperson of the Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortal- ity rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.” CHI St. Vincent North also received the Amer- ican Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hos- pitalized due to stroke. Each year, program partici- pants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to fol- lowing treatment guidelines, Get With The Guide- lines participants also educate patients to help themmanage their health and recovery at home. Mercy Hospital Fort Smith Blesses NewHelipad The landing of a Mercy Life Line helicopter helped mark the beginning for a new helipad at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, part of the ongoing expansion at the hospital. The new helipad, located in front of the Physi- cians Building at the hospital, is part of the $162.5 million expansion of the emergency room and intensive care unit at Mercy Fort Smith. Relocat- ing the helipad will improve patient transport to the ER. “This is a first, giant step toward getting the new ER and ICU operations underway,” said David Hunton, MD, president of Mercy Clinic Fort Smith. “We appreciate the work Mercy Life Line does in helping get patients to us and, when needed, get- ting other patients out where they need to go.” The goal at Mercy in Fort Smith, Hunton said, is to become a Level II trauma center, and the heli- pad blessing is a “great first step in that direction. We look forward to all the construction projects The landing of a Mercy Life Line helicopter helped mark the beginning for a new helipad at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, part of the ongoing expansion at the hospital.