(MCLEANSBORO, IL) — Hamilton Memorial Hospital District has recently been recognized as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital by the Illinois Department of Public Health. A facility earns the certificate by establishing evidence based processes that ensure the finest care to patients experiencing an acute stroke. With the help and teamwork of the Emergency Department and Radiology Department, Hamilton Memorial was able to reduce the time it takes to run tests and ultimately transfer the patient from the Emergency Department. From March 2015 to March 2016, the average time to care for an acute stroke patient from the moment they came through the doors to transfer was 168 minutes. With the implementation of a restructured process, from January 2016 to January 2017, HMHD was able to decrease their door to transfer time by 29 minutes while still keeping in mind the importance of quality care and patient safety. While the certificate is good for three years, HMHD continues to improve their timeliness and quality of care given to each and every patient. The hospital’s goal is to bring patients the care they need, when and where they need it – close to home.