February 17, 2006

MGH stroke team honored

The MGH Acute Stroke Quality Task Force (ASQT) recently was honored with a certificate of recognition from the American Stroke Association (ASA) for the hospital's ongoing participation in the ASA's "Get with the Guidelines-Stroke" program. The hospital-based program aims to improve the overall quality of care for stroke patients by helping hospitals institute guidelines — developed by the ASA, the American Heart Association and the Brain Attack Coalition — that address acute stroke management, prevention of stroke and cardiovascular disease and the establishment of primary stroke centers.

Through its participation in the Get with the Guidelines-Stroke program, the ASQT has access to training and staffing recommendations, discharge protocols, standing orders, data collection and management tools. The program also facilitates the sharing of best practices among participating hospitals.

Lee Schwamm, MD, director of the MGH TeleStroke and Acute Stroke Service, also directs the ASQT. "The ASQT was formed to help improve the quality of acute stroke care at the MGH," says Schwamm. "The members of the team have shown extraordinary dedication, passion and creativity in making this project happen. We have seen tremendous improvements in care during our first year of implementation."

For more information about the MGH Stroke Service, visit www.stopstroke.org.

Above, from left, Katie McCullough, ASQT project manager, Schwamm and Kelly Petti, ASA director of Quality Improvement

Members of the ASQT