NORTH KANSAS CITY — For the second consecutive year, North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health received the highest level of recognition awarded by the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association for participating in its quality improvement registry: Get With the Guidelines, according to a hospital press release.

Among the six awards is a third consecutive Gold Plus Award for Stroke Care and a second consecutive Gold Plus Award for Heart Failure.

According to the hospital, the awards demonstrate that care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines in providing quality care for heart failure and stroke patients.

“The American Heart Association’s reputation speaks for itself,” said Stephen Reintjes Sr., president and CEO of North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health. “We are pleased to once again accept these awards, which show our continued commitment to providing exceptional care for heart failure and stroke patients through Get With the Guidelines.”