Kona Community Hospital nationally recognized for providing life-saving care for stroke patients
Consistently following national stroke guidelines has helped the hospital to reduce deaths and disability.
Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua has been recognized for its efforts to ensure stroke patients receive timely and appropriate treatment, increasing the likelihood of survival and reducing disability.
The Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation announced in a news release that the hospital received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its consistent use of nationally recognized, research-based protocol.
The in-hospital program is proven to help prevent deaths and minimize the long-term effects of a stroke. The Stroke Gold Plus award means Kona Community Hospital achieved at least 85% adherence to specific stroke care standards for at least two years, plus 75% or more adherence to additional quality measures.
Participating hospitals also provide education to help people manage their stroke recovery after discharge.
“Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, including greater likelihood of being discharged home, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a meaningful benefit for health care systems, families and communities,” said Dr. Steven Messe, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group.
Stroke is the Number 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Early detection and rapid treatment are critical to improving stroke survival rates, minimizing disability and supporting faster recovery.
Since 2001, the national stroke guidelines have been used on more than 18 million patients. For more information, visit heart.org.
