Piedmont Macon Medical Center has received three achievement awards from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for demonstrating commitment to following the latest research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke and diabetes, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer hospital readmissions.

This year, Piedmont Macon Medical Center received the following achievement awards:

• Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus Award

• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite

• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Additionally, Piedmont Macon Medical Center is designated as a Primary Stroke Center, meeting specific guidelines featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients arriving at the hospital.

“These awards exemplify the superior performance from our staff in treating stroke patients,” said Monica Cook, the stroke program manager for Piedmont Macon. “Quality of care, timeliness of treatment and the use of state-of-the-art technology are among the standards the staff is focused on.”

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, and brain cells die.

It's important to "BE FAST," as early detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and speeding up recovery time:

• B: Balance — Watch for dizziness or loss of balance.

• E: Eyes — Check for vision loss or double vision.

• F: Face — Look for an uneven smile.

• A: Arm — Check if one arm is weak.

• S: Speech — Listen for slurred speech.

• T: Time — Call 911 at the first sign of a stroke, which can include a terrible headache.

Get With The Guidelines put the expertise of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest evidence and research-based guidelines. As a participant in both programs, Piedmont qualified for the awards by demonstrating how the organization has committed to improving quality care. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.