Suffolk Reporter

Stony Brook Medicine has been acknowledged by the American Heart Association for its dedication to high-quality patient care in cardiovascular and stroke areas. Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) has received the Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus achievement award for 14 consecutive years, while Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (SBSH) has achieved this recognition for 11 consecutive years. Additionally, SBUH earned the Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement award for the sixth year in a row.

"This recognition by the American Heart Association underscores the unwavering dedication of our healthcare teams to provide exceptional care for our patients," said Dr. William Wertheim, Executive Vice President of Stony Brook Medicine. "Our continuous recognition over the years highlights our dedication to providing top-tier cardiovascular and stroke care, and we are proud to see the positive impact our efforts have on improving patient outcomes."

Stroke remains a significant health concern as it is the fifth leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the U.S. Early detection and treatment are essential for improving survival rates and recovery times. The American Heart Association's guidelines assist hospitals nationwide in aligning patient care with current research-based standards.

In addition to its Gold Plus achievement, SBUH earned distinctions on several honor rolls: Target: Stroke℠ Elite Honor Roll, Target: Stroke Advanced Therapy Honor Roll, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠ Honor Roll.

Heart failure affects about six million adults in the U.S., impacting their quality of life significantly. The Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center at Stony Brook continues to be recognized for excellence in patient care with its sixth consecutive Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement award. This accolade commends hospitals that consistently treat patients according to evidence-based guidelines from the American Heart Association.

Each year, over 300,000 individuals experience an in-hospital cardiac arrest. Survival depends largely on timely medical response and effective CPR. The Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation program aims to save lives through adherence to up-to-date treatment protocols as outlined by the American Heart Association.

Stony Brook University Hospital is nationally recognized for improving cardiac arrest survival rates through these awards:

Stony Brook University Hospital serves as Long Island’s only tertiary care center with numerous specialized institutes including a Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center and a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program among others.

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital offers diverse clinical services ranging from primary care to specialized procedures such as cardiac catheterization. It operates as Long Island’s South Fork sole emergency care provider with various centers including a Cancer Center and Wellness Institute.

Get With The Guidelines® is a hospital-based quality improvement program developed by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association aimed at saving lives through adherence to research-based guidelines.