Cookeville Regional Medical Center Once Again Nationally Recognized for Commitment to Providing High-quality Stroke Care

Cookeville Regional Medical Center has once again received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines^® – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S.

“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,” said Dr. Mark Tedford, neurohospitalist for CRMC.  “Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times. Our stroke team at Cookeville Regional works diligently to make sure we have the protocols and education in place to ensure strokes are recognized and treated at the highest quality to save lives and reduce disabilities for the people in our region.”

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

“We are incredibly proud to receive the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Gold Plus Award once again,” said Buff Key, CEO of Cookeville Regional Medical Center. “This recognition reflects the unwavering dedication of our clinical teams to provide the highest standard of stroke care. By consistently following proven, evidence-based protocols, we are improving outcomes, saving lives, and helping patients in our region recover with fewer long-term effects. This achievement underscores our mission to deliver exceptional, lifesaving care right here in the Upper Cumberland.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Cookeville Regional Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”