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Association/American Stroke Association's Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, Via Christi's dedicated efforts to improving stroke care will be additionally recognized during the International Stroke Conference in February and listed in the March edition of Stroke magazine and the July "Best Hospitals" issue of U.S. News & World Report. "The recognition is a wonderful reminder and affirmation of our work here at Via Christi. It also speaks to the outstanding team of professionals dedicated to ensuring evidenced-based care processes are consistently delivered," explains Sarah Brown, R.N., B.S.N., Stroke Program Coordinator. "Achieving the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award requires a team approach among physicians, nurses, pharmacists, reha- bilitation staff and much more and demonstrates that consistent processes are in place to ensure every patient receives the same standard of care." More importantly, the recognition represents saved lives and improved outcomes through prompt and aggressive treatment. In order to achieve the Gold Plus Via Christi's interdisciplinary team includes physical and occupational therapists and an on-staff rehabilitation psychologist. treatments can be costly, they also can be very cost effective. Via Christi has been very supportive in my practice, and over the years has helped me in bringing the newest technologies to the hospital." Rehabilitation Key in Helping Patients Achieve Optimum Recovery Playing a key role in care is Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, the area's pre- mier inpatient rehabilitation facility, accredited by both The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Providing inpatient and outpatient services, the rehab team utilizes specialized tech- niques and equipment to help patients in their recovery. 12 | Greater Kansas MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM According to Kevin Rieg, M.D., Medical Director at Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, the hospital provides care that goes beyond the minimum requirements imposed by Medicare and commercial insurance policies. "We prov ide comprehens ive rehabilitation delivered through an interdisciplinary team approach. The patient's individualized treatment plan is aimed at maximizing independence, decreasing caregiver burden, patient and family education, and transition back to the home setting," he explains. Achieving Greater Heights Recently named to HealthGrades' America's 100 Best Hospitals for Stoke Care in 2012 and earning the American Heart Quality Achievement Award, Via Christi met each of the AHA/ASA program's stroke measures at 85% or higher for 24 consecutive months and ranked at 75% or higher for additional quality measures, such as evaluating patients using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; aggressive use of medications such as tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy and cholesterol-reducing drugs; and smoking cessation. "In patients with an acute stroke, prompt recognition, treatment and sec- ondary prevention are critical," Walker says. "Via Christi is committed to being one of the top hospitals in the country for providing aggressive, proven stroke care." For more information, please contact Sarah Brown, R.N., Program Coordinator for Via Christi Hospital Stroke Center, at (316) 268-7186 or Becky Irving, Director of Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, at (316) 634-3686. ■