Fairview Range Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus and Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition Silver quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring people experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce disability.
Stroke is the No. 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. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue. When this happens, brain cells begin to die. Early detection and rapid treatment are critical to improving survival, minimizing disability and supporting faster recovery.
Get With The Guidelines brings the expertise of the American Stroke Association into hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program designed to improve stroke care through consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize long-term effects of stroke and help prevent death.
“Receiving these awards demonstrates our team’s ongoing commitment to bringing nationally recognized stroke care to our rural community,” says Kristen Bayliss, Trauma & Stroke Coordinator at Fairview Range. “Patients experiencing a stroke deserve rapid access to evidence-based treatment regardless of where they live. This achievement reflects the hard work of our entire care team and our dedication to improving outcomes for every patient who entrusts us with their care.”
This recognition is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of Fairview Range physicians, nurses, emergency department staff, imaging and laboratory teams, inpatient and rehabilitation services, and our many support teams. It also reflects the important contributions of our external EMS partners and Fairview Tele-Neurology, whose collaboration helps ensure patients receive timely, evidence-based stroke care when they need it most.
Earning this award year after year demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality stroke care close to home. Together, our teams are proud to serve the communities of northern Minnesota and help ensure patients have access to exceptional care when every minute matters.
