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(Washington, N.C.) – The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has awarded ECU Health Beaufort Hospital with Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for its work in treating stroke and diabetes. These awards recognize the health system’s commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease, diabetes and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

“ECU Health Beaufort Hospital is proud to be recognized nationally by the American Heart Association for our commitment to bringing quality care to eastern North Carolina,” said Dennis Campbell, interim president. “Our region experiences high rates of chronic diseases and these programs help us meet our mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina by putting proven knowledge and best practices to work on a daily basis.”

ECU Health Beaufort Hospital received the below recognitions:

• Get With the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, cardiovascular disease and stroke are the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States, respectively. On average, someone in the United States suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Stroke kills about 140,000 Americans each year, accounting for one out of every twenty deaths. In eastern North Carolina, the stroke death rate is even higher, highlighting the need for preventative and rapid care. The state also has a higher burden of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize ECU Health Beaufort Hospital for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “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.”