Los Al Medical wins stroke recognition award

Courtesy photo Director of Quality Performance improvement Crystal Klaus, RN and Melanie Altamirano, DNP in the Cath Lab.

Los Alamitos Medical Center has received the highest recognition possible for the 2022 Stroke Achievement Awards presented by the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association’s 2022 Get with the Guidelines®.

We are very proud to have been awarded the 2022 Get with The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus, Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, and Advanced Therapy Achievement Awards. This demanding program is designed for hospitals that have specific abilities to receive and treat the most complex stroke cases.

We are also very proud to have been awarded the 2022 Get with The Guidelines® – Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll by the American Heart Association. This achievement is for a series of quality metrics specific to the prevention and treatment of Diabetes in relation to the Stroke patient population. This award was only implemented by the American Heart Association in 2021 and Los Alamitos Medical Center has met this requirement for both 2021 and 2022.

“This continued certification and awards represent a long-standing dedication to excellence by our entire team of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, technicians, and quality improvement staff throughout this hospital,” said Crystal Klaus, Director of Clinical Quality Improvement at Los Alamitos Medical Center. “We are honored to provide comprehensive stroke care to the Los Alamitos community and remain steadfast in our unwavering commitment to improve the lives of our patients.”

The first few minutes of a stroke are the most important, and when you or a loved one is having a stroke, you must act quickly. Doing so, could mean the difference between life and death. Research has shown that 2 million brain cells are lost within the first minute after a stroke begins. The faster a person who is having a stroke receives treatment, the better the chances of a complete recovery and life without disability.

“I am immensely proud of our dedicated team of highly trained specialists who have put so much effort toward these awards,” said hospital CEO, Kent Clayton. “Providing the best possible outcomes for our stroke patients through timely treatment, fostering prompt reintegration to the community is what we strive for.”

Recognize the signs of stroke and respond appropriately by calling 911 and BE FAST.
B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
E – Eyes: Sudden vision change/trouble seeing
F – Face: One side of the face droops when the person smiles
A – Arm: One arm drifts down when the person raises arms
S – Speech: Person’s speech in slurred, slow, or strange
T – Time: If you or someone around you is experiencing one, some or all of these symptoms, “BE FAST” and call 911 immediately for emergency medical assistance.
Los Alamitos Medical Center has demonstrated the ability to comply with the stringent requirements of the Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification Program. The

Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification Program of DNV Healthcare integrates certain requirements of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Conditions of Participation for Hospitals, and Guidelines of the Brain Attack Coalition and Recommendations of the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association®.

Tenet Health Pacific Coast is a community built on care. Our integrated system across the greater Los Angeles County and Orange County area includes four acute care hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, clinics, and ancillary services. We provide a full range of care, from preventive and routine healthcare to highly specialized services, at convenient locations throughout our region. Working as a unified system, we improve care coordination between our hospitals and our affiliated entities, including labs, imaging centers, and surgery centers for the diverse patients we treat every year. Our caregivers and supporting staff extend compassion to those in need, helping to improve the health and well-being of those we serve. Learn more here. Regardless of what your medical event may be, we are here for you. Our Emergency Room InQuicker system allows those needing non-life-threatening care to make an appointment online. Visit one of our hospital websites to learn more.
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