Mercy Medical Center Redding is nationally recognized for its commitment to providing high-quality stroke care

REDDING, Calif. (July 5, 2022) – Mercy Medical Center Redding has received three American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement 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.

Mercy Medical Center Redding received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines - Stroke quality achievement award, Target: Stroke^SM Elite Plus award, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes^SM Honor Roll award. To qualify for the Elite Plus recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria reducing the time between a patient’s arrival and treatment with a clot-busting alteplase.

Stroke is the No. 5 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.

“Our stroke-trained neurologists and team of experts are committed to providing quality patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines – making a life-changing difference in those suffering from a stroke,” said G. Todd Smith, President, Mercy Medical Center Redding. “We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to stroke care.”

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 Mercy Medical Center Redding 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.”

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About Dignity Health North State Hospitals

Dignity Health’s three accredited, not-for-profit hospitals in the North State—Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta, Mercy Medical Center Redding, and St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Red Bluff— have received national recognition for superior safety and quality. Each is passionate about providing an exceptional patient experience, investing in our communities, advocating for the underserved, and delivering quality, affordable health services to anyone in need.

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 12 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.