( HARTFORD, Conn.) – The Stroke Center at Saint Francis has received the American Stroke Association’s Get with the Guidelines SM (GWTG) Silver Achievement Award. The award recognizes the Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for stroke patients.

GWTG helps to ensure that patients treated and discharged receive quality care in accordance with guidelines that reduce the risk of secondary events. It takes advantage of the “teachable moment,” the time soon after a stroke, when patients are most likely to listen to their healthcare professional’s treatment recommendations. Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still hospitalized reduce the risk of a second stroke.

“Earning this award signifies that Saint Francis has achieved an aggressive goal of treating stroke patients according to rigorous levels of care,” said Phaniraj Iyengar, M.D., Medical Director of the Stroke Center at Saint Francis.

Since its launch in September 2007, the Stroke Center at Saint Francis has treated more than 1, 100 patients and educated more than 75 physicians and 650 nurses in stroke assessment, diagnosis and current treatment options.

According to GWTG treatment guidelines, stroke patients receive an aggressive course of treatment including such drugs as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and antithrombotics. To receive the Silver Award, Saint Francis had to demonstrate 85 percent compliance with the guidelines for 12 months.

According to the American Stroke Association, 700,000 individuals suffer a stroke every year in this country.

Founded in 1897, Saint Francis is a major teaching hospital licensed for 6 17 acute inpatient beds and 65 bassinets. It is the largest Catholic hospital in New England.