McLaren Northern Michigan is a Certified Primary Stroke Center
Time is Brain in Stroke Care! McLaren Northern Michigan Primary Stroke Center strives to bring the most evidence-based care available to patients experiencing stroke through established stroke care protocols at all McLaren Stroke Network locations.
McLaren Northern Michigan remains a Certified Primary Stroke Center, one of an elite group of health care organizations across the country that are focused on highly-specialized stroke care. To be eligible, hospitals must demonstrate compliance with stroke-related standards as a Primary Stroke Center and meet additional requirements, including those related to advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatments, and providing staff with the unique education and competencies to care for complex stroke patients.
For more information on McLaren Northern Michigan Stroke Center, the McLaren Stroke Network or how to partner with us in community stroke care education, please contact the Stroke Program Coordinator at (231) 487-4266.
McLaren Northern Michigan is Nationally Recognized for its Commitment to Providing High-Quality Stroke Care
"McLaren Northern Michigan is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines," said Karl Meisel, MD, medical director of the Stroke Program at McLaren Northern Michigan. "Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our team to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis which, studies have shown, can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people experience longer and healthier lives."
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.
"We are incredibly pleased to recognize McLaren Northern Michigan for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke," said Steven Messe, M.D., 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 mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities."
McLaren Northern Michigan has received the American Heart Association's GOLD PLUS Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.
“Gold Plus achievement awards recognize hospitals that perform with at least 85% compliance in each Get With The Guidelines® achievement targeted award measures. A Gold award is earned for maintaining performance level for at least two consecutive calendar years. Target: Stroke Honor Roll designation are recognized for additional participation and performance in these initiatives.” To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria reducing the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster Alteplase.
McLaren Northern Michigan achieved Honor Roll Elite Plus by achieving over 50% of thrombolytic therapy was administered in less than 30 minutes from patient’s arrival to McLaren Northern Michigan which substantially improves patients’ clinical outcomes and their ability to return home upon recovery from a stroke.
In addition, McLaren Northern Michigan also received the American 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 hospitalized due to stroke.
Get With The Guidelines 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 evidence- and research-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.
More information about stroke from the American Heart Association.
Stroke is the number five 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.
According to the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association:
- Stroke strikes about 795,000 people a year in the USA
- Every 40 seconds someone suffers from a stroke
- Every 4 minutes someone dies from a stroke
- The mortality rate for stroke in women is double that of breast cancer
URGENCY is KEY
- If you suspect, you or a loved one is having a stroke – Call 911
- Action makes all the difference – It’s OK to overreact – It could save a life!
How To Identify A Stroke
Learn more about our stroke center
Order free Stroke Symptom magnets