July 21, 2006

MGH recognized for turning guidelines into lifelines

The MGH was one of 173 hospitals recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With the Guidelines (GWTG) program. The goal of the GWTG program is to make sure hospitals keep up with the latest rules, recommendations and scientific advancements in the areas of cardiac and stroke care. The GWTG measures hospitals in three areas using guidelines for each these areas are coronary artery disease, stroke and heart failure.

The GWTG program found the MGH to continuously exceed their criteria for each area, implementing initiatives and for performance achievement. Qualifying performance achievement requires that at least 85 percent of a hospital's cardiac or stroke patients are treated and discharged according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's guidelines and recommendations. Gregg C. Fonarow, MD, the American Heart Association volunteer chairman for the national GWTG Steering Committee, says, "The Massachusetts General Hospital has implemented and maintained the appropriate standards of protocol in cardiac and stroke care for patients. We are proud of the MGH's efforts for implementing these lifesaving treatments."

The MGH's GWTG recognition is noted in an ad featured in the same U.S. News & World Report issue as the top 100 hospitals. For more informationon GWTG, visit www.americanheart.org/getwiththeguidelines.