Stony Brook Medicine Recognized for High-Quality Stroke and Heart Failure Care

American Heart Association Again Provides National Recognition to Stony Brook University Hospital and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital

Stony Brook Medicine (SBM) has once again been recognized by the American Heart Association for its commitment to delivering high-quality patient care across cardiovascular and stroke focus areas.

This year marks the 13th consecutive year for Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) (2010 – 2023) and the 10th consecutive year for Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (SBSH) (2014 – 2023) to receive the Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus achievement award. For the fifth consecutive year, SBUH received the Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement award. Both awards recognize SBM’s dedication to improving outcomes for patients, meaning reduced readmissions and more healthy days at home.

“Stony Brook Medicine is immensely proud to be recognized once again by the American Heart Association for our unwavering commitment to exceptional stroke and heart failure care,” said Hal Paz, MD, executive vice president for Health Sciences, Stony Brook University, and chief executive officer, Stony Brook University Medicine. “This accolade reaffirms our dedication to providing the highest quality of treatment and serves as a testament to the relentless efforts of our healthcare professionals who prioritize the well-being of our patients above all else.”

The Stroke Gold Plus level is the most advanced level of recognition awarded by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to help ensure that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. This ultimately leads to more lives saved and reduced disability. Stroke — which occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts and part of the brain can’t get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die —is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of a stroke and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

This year’s Gold Plus achievement earned by Stony Brook University Hospital comes with the added distinctions of Target: Stroke℠ Elite Honor Roll for the sixth time; Target: Stroke Advanced Therapy Honor Roll for the second time (2020, 2023); and Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠ Honor Roll for the third time (2021, 2022, 2023).

Heart Failure 

The Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure quality achievement award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association. Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines.

According to the Association, more than 6.5 million adults in the United States are living with heart failure (HF). Many patients with HF can lead a full, enjoyable life when their condition is managed with proper medications or devices and with healthy lifestyle changes. Despite the name, HF doesn’t mean that the heart has stopped working – it means the heart is having a hard time pumping blood and oxygen throughout the body. While there’s no cure for HF, patients can live a quality life by working with their health care team to create and stick with a plan that may include medication, symptom monitoring and lifestyle changes.