Stroke care provided at four Abrazo hospitals has been recognized with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Quality Achievement and Target: Stroke awards. The awards underscore Abrazo’s investment in talent and technology to treat stroke and neurological disease in its hospitals across the greater Phoenix area.
• Abrazo Arrowhead Campus received the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus/Target Stroke Elite /Target Type 2 Diabetes Award
• Abrazo Central Campus received the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus/Target Stroke Elite /Target Stroke Advanced Therapy Award
• Abrazo Scottsdale Campus received the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus/Target Stroke Elite Award
• Abrazo West Campus received the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus/Target Stroke Elite Award
Neurosciences is a significant focus for the Abrazo Central Campus. Dr. Emun Abdu is medical director of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery at Abrazo Central, and Dr. Kim is medical director of Neurosurgery at Abrazo Central.
“Neurosciences is a significant focus for the Abrazo Health network and we continue investing in our capabilities for neurosurgery and stroke treatment,” said Dr. Abdu. “Abrazo Central has the distinction of being the state’s first thrombectomy-capable stroke center for performing mechanical endovascular thrombectomy, a specialized surgical procedure used to remove a blood clot from the brain during an ischemic stroke. The certification is granted from The Joint Commission in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Studies have shown the value of mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusive ischemic strokes. For the best patient outcomes, it is important to have a diverse network of stroke-certified hospitals, so patients can get to the right location as soon as possible.
“Abrazo Health is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Dr. Abdu. “The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.”
Stroke facts:
• A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death, according to the CDC.
• Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.
• Nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year
• A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die.
• Ischemic stroke occurs when blood clots or other particles block the blood vessels to the brain. Fatty deposits called plaque can also cause blockages by building up in the blood vessels.
• Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. Blood builds up and damages surrounding brain tissue.
“Abrazo Health is dedicated to providing quality care for each of the communities we serve,” added Chief Executive Officer Brian Elisco. “This recognition acknowledges our network’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.
He added that signs of stroke and other emergencies shouldn’t be ignored.
“It’s important to seek care if you are experiencing a symptom that is affecting your ability to function. Don’t delay care because it could lead to significant complications,” said Elisco.
