Holyoke Medical Center Ranks First in Stroke Care in Massachusetts

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) has been recognized for being the best in Massachusetts for treating ischemic stroke patients with life-saving medication. The Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) identified HMC as the number-one hospital in the state for time to IV thrombolytic therapy within 45 minutes.

“This recognition is attributed to the superior care provided by our staff. We are honored to be recognized again for excellence in efficient, quality stroke care,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems Inc.

DPH recognized HMC for providing the highest percentage of acute ischemic stroke patients receiving intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy during the hospital stay who have a time from hospital arrival to initiation of thrombolytic therapy administration (door-to-needle time) of 45 minutes or less. HMC is one of 50 Coverdell hospitals in Massachusetts.

Stroke is now the fourth-leading cause of death in Massachusetts, and remains a leading cause of adult disability. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, someone dies of a stroke every four minutes, and nearly 800,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.