Huntsville Hospital received the national recognition by earning the 2009 Triple Performance Achievement Award for quality care in all three areas through the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s “Get With The Guidelines” program. Huntsville Hospital is one of only two facilities in the state and only 40 in the country to receive this level of achievement in all three areas.

“Get With The Guidelines” is a joint program between the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association to provide hospitals with the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines for the care of coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke patients. Awards are presented to participating hospitals who demonstrate a commitment to treating patients with 85 percent or higher compliance to core standard levels of care. Bronze, silver and gold awards are earned based on the length of time a hospital has been participating.

At the time of the magazine’s deadline, Huntsville Hospital had earned the Silver Achievement Award in all three areas, meaning the facility had demonstrated compliance with the evidence-based treatments for more than a year. The hospital has since been awarded the Gold Achievement Award for quality stroke care after hitting the two-year mark of compliance in that category.

“Our greatest reward is serving our patients, and we’re dedicated to making our care for heart disease and stroke patients among the best in the country,” said Huntsville Hospital CEO David Spillers. “That’s why we’re committed to turning treatment guidelines into lifelines.”

Huntsville Hospital was also recently recognized as the 9th largest public healthcare facility in the nation by Modern Healthcare.