St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway recognized nationally for heart failure, stroke care

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway received two quality achievement awards from the American Heart Association (AHA) for its commitment to “improving quality care” in treating heart failure and stroke patients, the hospital announced on Monday, July 24.

The awards are a part of the “Get With The Guidelines” initiative created by the AHA, as well as the American Stroke Association (ASA) in an effort to improve care for patients suffering from cardiac diseases and strokes. Currently, heart disease and strokes are the number one and number five causes of death across the country, respectively.

“St. John’s Episcopal Hospital is committed to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care,” a hospital spokesperson said in a statement. “[…] Our team is dedicated to following evidence-based guidelines to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.”

According to a press release, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital was awarded the “Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Award with Target: Stroke Plus Honor Roll, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll,” as well as the “Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Plus Award with Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.”

These awards, according to the AHA, recognize a hospital’s commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines and practices for heart failure and stroke treatment, something studies have found result in better recovery periods for patients. 

“We are pleased to recognize St. John’s Hospital for its commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Dr. John Warner, the past president of the AHA and CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “Hospitals that follow the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols often see improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”