HUNTSVILLE, AL – Crestwood Medical Center has received two American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines achievement awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke or heart attack. Heart disease and stroke are the number 1 and number 5 causes of death in the U.S., respectively. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.

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 evidence- and research-based guidelines. As a participant in Get With The Guidelines programs, Crestwood Medical Center qualified for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care.

“Crestwood Medical Center is committed to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks and strokes,” says Kris Goodwin, MSN, FNP-BC, BSN, Chief Nursing Officer. “The Get With The Guidelines programs make it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which helps us ensure more people in North Alabama experience longer, healthier lives.”

This year, Crestwood Medical Center received these achievement awards:

∙ 2022 Get With The Guidelines – Afib Gold

∙ 2022 Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Gold

“We are pleased to recognize Crestwood Medical Center for its commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said John Warner, M.D., FAHA, past president of the American Heart Association and executive vice president for health system affairs at UT Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas. “Hospitals that follow the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols often see improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”