Piedmont Macon Medical Center and Piedmont Macon North Hospital have each 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 received the following awards:

• Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Award

• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite

• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Piedmont Macon North also received a trio of awards:

• Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus Award

• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite

• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Additionally, Piedmont Macon Medical and Macon North continue to be designated as Primary Stroke Centers, meeting specific scientific guidelines featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients arriving at the emergency department.

“These awards reflect the exceptional dedication and collaboration of the care teams – the physicians, nurses, therapists and support staff who work every day to deliver timely, evidence-based care to every stroke patient,” said Monica Cook, stroke manager for Piedmont Macon. “Through coordination, hard work and a shared commitment to improving outcomes, both hospitals achieved this important milestone together.”

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. 

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 or leg is weak.

• S: Speech – Listen for slurred speech.

• T: Time – Call 911 at the first sign of a stroke.

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 Macon 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.