Joplin, MO. – Freeman Health System has received five 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 and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

Heart disease and stroke are the number 1 and number 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to American Heart Association data. 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 the Get With The Guidelines programs, Freeman qualified for the awards by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care.

“Freeman 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,” said Paige Moschner, Director of Cardiac and Vascular Services at Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute. “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 Southwest Missouri experience longer, healthier lives.”

This year, Freeman received these achievement awards:

* Get With the Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center – GOLD PLUS: Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

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

* Get With The Guidelines®-Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes

* Get With the Guidelines – Resuscitation Silver – Pediatric

* Get With the Guidelines – Resuscitation Target Survival

“These awards show Freeman Health System’s commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and current volunteer chair of the Association’s Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, Freeman can help realize our shared vision of improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions, and lower mortality rates—a win for health care systems, families, and communities.”