THOMASTON, Ga., Sept. 4 2025 — Upson Regional Medical Center is nationally recognized by the American Heart Association for its commitment to providing patients with quality, research-based stroke care in Upson County and surrounding communities.
The American Heart Association awarded Upson Regional the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, the highest honor a hospital can receive, for meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy. Upson Regional also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to a stroke.
Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, and Upson County has one of the highest stroke mortality rates in Georgia, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Upson Regional is committed to lowering that number through early detection, education on preventive measures to the community, and thrombolytic therapy (dissolving blood clots and restoring blood flow to the brain). These measures are vital to minimizing or preventing damage caused by strokes and, ultimately, saving lives.
“To be able to up our game and be able to ensure that patients are getting the best care so that they can have the best outcomes is essential,” says Chief Quality Officer Suzanne Streetman. “That is what our program is. It’s trying to offer immediate medical care for those patients but also looking at long-term, and we’re looking at preventative care. Teaching B.E.F.A.S.T. and the importance of recognizing it earlier so that thrombolytic therapy can be initiated so we can decrease or prevent any damage from occurring.”
A stroke is caused by blockage of blood flow and oxygen to the brain either through a blood clot or a ruptured blood vessel. Blood and oxygen are essential nutrients for the brain, so the disruption of these nutrients causes brain cell death or damage. Early detection using the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T. can reduce the damage and save the person’s life. “B” stands for balance (loss of balance). “E” is for eyes (vision changes), “F” stands for face (drooping to one side). “A” is arms (one arm is weak or numb). “S” stands for speech (slurred speech or difficulty speaking). “T” means time (call 911 right away).
“Why this matters” is that proximity to Upson Regional means immediate care for patients experiencing a stroke, and minutes matter during a medical emergency. Upson Regional is committed to providing quality patient care close to home. “That’s the endgame,” Streetman states. “To improve the healthcare of our citizens.”
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Media Contact: Director of Growth and Strategy Chelsea Peterson, BSN, RN
Upson Regional Medical Center
Chelsea.Peterson@urmc.org
(706) 647-8111, ext. 1242
