Williamsport, Pa., August 2, 2023 – Several hospitals within UPMC in North Central Pa. have received American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital. 

UPMC Williamsport and the UPMC Outpatient Emergency Department of Lock Haven achieved the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus award. To be awarded Gold Plus, a hospital must reach at least 85% compliance in numerous quality measures as outlined by the American Heart Association for at least 24 consecutive months.  

UPMC Muncy and UPMC Wellsboro achieved the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition Bronze award. To be awarded a Rural Recognition Bronze, a hospital must reach at least 75% compliance in numerous quality measures by the American Heart Association for at least one calendar quarter. 

“UPMC hospitals in our region are committed to providing quality care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for strokes,” said Patti Jackson-Gehris, president, UPMC in North Central Pa. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in the northcentral region can experience longer, 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. The achievement measures for all designations are based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines established from the latest scientific evidence. 

Get With The Guidelines® was developed with the goal of saving lives and accelerating recoveries. Since 2001, the quality improvement program has touched the lives of more than nine million patients. 

For more information on stroke care provided by UPMC in North Central Pa., visit UPMC.com/NorthCentralPA.