SMYRNA, Tenn. - TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center in Smyrna has earned national recognition from the American Heart Association for its stroke care, receiving the Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award.
The award recognizes hospitals that follow nationally recognized, research-based guidelines designed to help stroke patients receive timely and appropriate care. TriStar StoneCrest, part of HCA Healthcare, is also designated as a Primary Stroke Center, meaning the hospital has systems in place to quickly diagnose and treat stroke patients who arrive in the emergency department.
Stroke remains a leading cause of disability in the United States. It occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures, cutting off blood and oxygen to brain tissue. Because brain cells can begin dying within minutes, early recognition and immediate treatment are critical to improving survival, reducing long-term disability and supporting recovery.
“When someone is having a stroke, every second matters,” said Ryan LeMasters, chief executive officer at TriStar StoneCrest. “This recognition speaks to the skill and dedication of our physicians, nurses and colleagues who are ready to provide timely, high-quality care for our community. Our goal is to help more people in Rutherford County and the surrounding communities recover and return to the moments that matter most.”
The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines - Stroke program is an in-hospital initiative that helps medical teams align stroke treatment with the latest evidence-based recommendations. The goal is to improve patient outcomes, support long-term recovery and ensure hospitals are consistently prepared to respond when stroke symptoms appear.
For families in Smyrna, La Vergne, Murfreesboro and across Rutherford County, the recognition points to the importance of having stroke-ready care close to home. Medical professionals continue to stress that anyone experiencing possible stroke symptoms should call 911 immediately.
Common warning signs can include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion or trouble speaking; sudden trouble seeing; sudden dizziness or loss of balance; and a sudden severe headache with no known cause.
