USA Health Providence nationally recognized for providing high-quality stroke care 

USA Health Providence Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s 2024 Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Bronze 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 United States. 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. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times. 

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 potentially prevent death. 

“When a patient has a stroke, every second matters. Our teams at USA Health Providence work diligently every single day to make sure we are meeting and exceeding best practice guidelines in all aspects of care,” said Rick Metzger, MMHC, BSN, assistant administrator and interim CEO of USA Health Providence. “This award demonstrates our team's commitment to providing the right care for our stroke patients each and every time, which leads to the best possible outcomes for those we serve.” 

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 protocols, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home. 

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize USA Health Providence 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.” 

USA Health Providence Hospital is recognized by Alabama Department of Public Health as a Level III trauma center with the ability to provide high-quality trauma care in a timely manner. Additionally, the facility has received high marks from U.S. News & World Report and the American College of Cardiology for its quality cardiac care. The American Heart Association Award further confirms that USA Health Providence provides life-saving medications and treatment to stroke patients when every second counts.