Russell County Hospital has received the Rural Stroke Silver Award American Heart Association “Get with the Guidelines” achievement award for demonstrating a commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke, helping save lives, support recovery and reduce hospital readmissions.
Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Studies show patients can experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines.
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 science-backed guidelines. As a participant in the Get With the Guidelines programs, Russell County Hospital qualified for this award by demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving the quality of cardiovascular care.
Russell County Hospital is committed to delivering high-quality care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely, appropriate care for heart attacks and strokes.
“This award reflects Russell County Hospital’s commitment to caring for people in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, Chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, Russell County Hospital can help advance our shared vision of better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for patients, families, and health care systems.”