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CHI Memorial Nationally Recognized For Commitment To Providing High-Quality Stroke Care

CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga & Hixson earn national recognition from the American Heart Association, earning its Get With The Guidelines - Stroke awards
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CHI Memorial Nationally Recognized for Stroke Care

CHATTANOOGA, TN (July 23, 2025) – CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga and Hospital Hixson have received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus and Silver Plus, respectively, quality achievement awards for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S.  A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts.  When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die.  Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

"We are dedicated to continuously improving the care we provide to our patients. Get With The Guidelines is a vital tool that helps us translate the latest research and treatment protocols into daily practice,” shared Thomas Devlin, MD, PhD, CHI Memorial Neuroscience Institute medical director.  “This commitment to evidence-based care allows us to implement proven strategies that lead to better patient outcomes and a healthier community.”

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize CHI Memorial for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga also received the American Heart Association’s Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite Plus Advanced Therapy award by meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke.

CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson received the American Heart Association’s Target: StrokeSM Elite award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy. 

In addition, CHI Memorial Hospitals Chattanooga and Hixson also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga is a certified DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center, and CHI Memorial Hospital HIxson is a certified DNV Acute Stroke Ready Center.

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About CHI Memorial

CHI Memorial, a member of CommonSpirit, is a not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to the healing ministry of the Church. Founded by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, it offers a continuum of care including preventative, primary and acute hospital care, as well as cancer, cardiac, neuroscience, and stroke care, and orthopedic and rehabilitation services. CHI Memorial is a regional referral center of choice with 4,700 employees and almost 500 affiliated physicians providing health care throughout Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. To learn more, visit commonspirit.org/memorial

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.