Saratoga Hospital Recognized for Stroke Care

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines® – Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award. 

The national recognition acknowledges Saratoga Hospital’s commitment to providing patients with the most appropriate stroke treatment, in keeping with the latest research-based guidelines. 

“Our goal is to give our patients the best chance for survival and quality of life after a stroke,” said Dr. Robert Donnarumma, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Saratoga Hospital and medical director of its stroke program. “Get With The Guidelines provides tools and resources – including achievement measures – that help us follow evidence-based guidelines and improve patient outcomes.” 

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S. On average, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, and nearly 795,000 people have a new or recurrent stroke each year. Early detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability, and speeding up recovery times. 

Saratoga Hospital has made significant investments in recent years to enhance stroke care. In 2020, the hospital launched a teleneurology program – including telestroke care – to give patients 24/7 emergency access to neurologists who have extensive experience treating strokes. 

In August, Saratoga Hospital received a $100,00 grant from Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York Blue Fund to advance the hospital’s stroke program. The grant will help cover education, equipment, and other costs involved in attaining New York State Department of Health designation and Joint Commission-American Heart Association certification as a Primary Stroke Center.