Norwich -- The American Heart Association has recognized the William W. Backus Hospital’s Stroke Center for meeting national standards for stroke care.

The Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Silver Quality Achievement Award is one of the many initiatives Backus will be celebrating during National Stroke Awareness Month.

The silver designation acknowledges Backus’ commitment and success in implementing evidence-based standards for stroke care, the hospital said in a news release.

“This recognition is significant because in a relatively short period of time, it shows that Backus has been able to incorporate national guidelines for stroke care across the continuum,” said Dr. Anthony Alessi neurologist and medical director of the Backus Stroke Center. “There are so many facets of care involved in this recognition, it’s a huge accomplishment. All of this equates to a better quality of care for patients with stroke.”

Get With The Guidelines–Stroke uses the “teachable moment,” the time soon after a patient has had a stroke, when they are most likely to listen to and follow their healthcare professionals’ guidance, the hospital said, noting that studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke. Through Get With The Guidelines–Stroke, customized patient education materials are made available at the point of discharge, based on patients’ individual risk profiles.