McLaren Northern Michigan, part of McLaren Health Care and the health care system’s statewide McLaren Stroke Network, has earned the Get With The Guidelines® Stroke GOLD PLUS distinction from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, an acknowledgement of its proficiency in its care for stroke patients by consistently achieving national quality measurements.
Additionally, McLaren Northern Michigan was listed on the AHA/ASA’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus for its prompt use of tPA, a medication to dissolve stroke-causing blood clots, as well as the organization’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, which recognizes the program for providing the latest evidence-based care to stroke patients with diabetes, a significant stroke risk factor.
“In providing the Northern Michigan region with access to specialty care, inspiring confidence and trust in that care is just as important a charge for our organization,” said Chad Grant, McLaren Health Care Chief Operating Officer and McLaren Northern Michigan Interim President and CEO. “With this recognition and the advantages provided through the McLaren Stroke Network, our community members are assured access to the proven guidelines for advanced stroke care, and the trust in knowing that this care will be here and ready if a stroke should unfortunately attack.”
Distinction levels are determined based on programs’ compliance with the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment guidelines set by the AHA/ASA to improve the care and clinical outcomes of stroke patients. The GOLD PLUS level — the highest achievable level — is earned by complying with these guidelines for 24 or more consecutive months.
Part of the McLaren Stroke Network, McLaren Northern Michigan has routinely earned national recognition for its care, treatment, quality, and outcomes.
“We are fortunate to have the expertise and knowledge of many skilled clinical professionals, which directly results in a higher level of care for our patients and best possible outcomes,” said Dr. Aniel Majjhoo, an interventional neurologist and medical director of the McLaren Stroke Network. “Adhering to the established guidelines puts our patients and providers in a position for success, and ultimately more treated patients being safely discharged home.”
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. McLaren Northern Michigan’s unique program approach allows for 24/7 initial evaluations by a stroke-trained interventional neurologist for all suspected stroke patients and 24/7 neuro intensive care coverage.
To learn more about the stroke program at McLaren Northern Michigan, visit mclaren.org/stroke.
About McLaren Northern Michigan
McLaren Northern Michigan is a 202-bed regional referral center located in Petoskey, serving residents in 22 counties across northern Lower Michigan and the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula. More than 230 physicians represent nearly all medical and surgical specialties, enabling full-service care with an emphasis on cardiology, cancer, orthopedics and neurosciences. McLaren Northern Michigan is a certified Primary Stroke Center, as designated by the Joint Commission. The hospital has a network of primary care providers and specialty care clinics throughout the region, and an outpatient surgery center in Cheboygan. Learn more at mclaren.org/northernmichigan.
About McLaren Health Care
McLaren Health Care, headquartered in Grand Blanc, Michigan, is a $6.6 billion, fully integrated health care delivery system committed to quality, evidence-based patient care and cost efficiency. The McLaren system includes 13 hospitals in Michigan, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, a 490-member employed primary and specialty care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 732,838 lives in Michigan and Indiana, home health, infusion and hospice providers, pharmacy services, a clinical laboratory network and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company. McLaren operates Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers and providers, anchored by the Karmanos Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the U.S. McLaren has 28,000 full-, part-time and contracted employees and more than 113,000 network providers throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Learn more at mclaren.org.