OAKLAND, Calif., July 21, 2022 – The American Heart Association is recognizing 20 Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals with an award for delivering high-quality stroke care, using practices that speed recovery and reduce death and disability for stroke patients.

These Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals received the Get With The Guidelines^®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and the Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus Award: Antioch, Fremont, Fresno, Modesto, Oakland, Redwood City, Richmond, Roseville, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, San Rafael, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, South San Francisco, Vacaville, Vallejo, and Walnut Creek.

“Our Kaiser Permanente clinicians and staff work together to deliver excellent patient-care outcomes with a focus on prevention and use evidence-based treatment protocols to get the right care to our stroke patients as quickly as possible,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “We are proud to be recognized for our commitment to providing high-quality care to our stroke patients so we can give them the best chance at a full recovery.”

To qualify for this award, the hospitals had to meet specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period of time.

These measures include evaluation of the proper usage of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines to speed recovery and reduce death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, stroke patients also needed to receive education on managing their health, have a follow-up visit scheduled, and receive other care transition interventions.

“This recognition is a testament to the commitment of our physicians and clinicians who continue to be at the forefront of delivering innovative care and highly effective treatments to our stroke patients,” said Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS, chief executive officer and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group.

Ken Dito, 85, of Daly City said he experienced exceptional care at the Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center after suffering a stroke earlier this year. Dito, a Bay Area radio sportscaster, said the quick action from his care team saved his life.

Dito passed out while playing golf and was taken by ambulance to the Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center where a specialized team used the Stroke EXPRESS treatment protocol to quickly diagnose Dito before transferring him to Kaiser Permanente Redwood City, which is an accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Once there, Sean Cullen, MD, a neurointerventional radiologist, worked with a team to surgically remove 2 clots and restore blood flow to Dito’s brain within 14 minutes. Less than an hour after the surgery, Dito was awake, oriented and speaking normally.

“The speed and precision of the staff at Kaiser Permanente rates an A+ in my eyes,” Dito said.

Skip Batchelder, of Rocklin, said he also received excellent care at Kaiser Permanente.

Batchelder was in his kitchen last year taking notes when suddenly he couldn’t control his hand and realized something was wrong before collapsing. A co-worker called 911 and within 25 minutes Batchelder was in the emergency room at the Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center.

After a preliminary examination, the hospital’s stroke team ordered scans, which identified permanent damage to Batchelder’s brain caused by a stroke. After a week in the hospital, 2 weeks in a rehab facility, and nearly a year of outpatient recovery, Batchelder is once again able to walk, drive, and work.

“I have observed that every one of the Kaiser Permanente staff helping me operates as a team. I am still impressed with how each always has the others’ back, making certain nothing was missed in my treatment and rehabilitation,” he said.

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About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve almost 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org. 

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