Excellence in stroke care awarded to Swedish Covenant Hospital

Lincoln Square's Swedish Covenant Hospital has been recognized with the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke Bronze Quality Achievement Award for excellence in stroke care by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

The hospital earned the Bronze quality achievement award for meeting specific measures for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients for 90 consecutive days (Silver and Gold honors are awarded after 12 and 24 months, respectively). These measures include proper use of medications and therapies aimed at reducing death and disability, as well as improving quality of life for stroke patients.

 “Swedish Covenant Hospital’s multi-disciplinary stroke team has worked tirelessly to develop protocols to immediately identify and treat signs of stroke,” says Kathryn Donofrio, associate vice president of nursing and director of cardiology. “This recognition is further evidence of our ongoing commitment to improving the lives of our stroke patients.”

This award provides further evidence of Swedish Covenant Hospital's ongoing commitment to stroke care.  According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the number four cause of death in the United States, and it is a leading cause of adult disability. It is because of the staff's teamwork that the hospital has been able to develop an excellent stroke team response and offer the best care for its patients.

The multi-disciplinary stroke team includes members of  critical care, rehabilitation services, nursing, radiology, lab and medical staffs.