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Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Receives Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award American Heart Association Award recognizes Lakewood Ranch Medical Center’s commitment to quality stroke care Contact Name: Kristina Sparacino Contact Email: kristina.sparacino@lwrmc.com Contact Phone Number: 3524272108 Lakewood Ranch, Florida – August 26, 2020 – Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC) has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, as well as other care transition interventions. “Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Andy Guz, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Chief Executive Officer. “The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.” “We are pleased to recognize Lakewood Ranch Medical Center for their commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.” According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. ### About Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (lwrmc.com) Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is the hospital of choice for many families in the Manatee/Sarasota region. The hospital has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission. The Gold Seal of Approval is recognized across the nation as a symbol of quality that shows the hospital's commitment to meeting certain performance standards. Patients at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center have access to a medical staff of more than 600 physicians and allied health professionals who practice in a comprehensive range of specialties and use the hospital's advanced medical technology. Physicians are on the medical staff of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The hospital is not liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. MEDIA CONTACTS: Kristina Sparacino, Director of Marketing Lakewood Ranch Medical Center kristina.sparacino@lwrmc.com