Mega Doctor News
Although sudden cardiac arrest in children is uncommon, it remains a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate, specialized care.
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively, preventing oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain and other vital organs.
Without immediate intervention, the condition can quickly become fatal, making rapid response, high-quality resuscitation and evidence-based treatment essential to improving survival outcomes.
Approximately 23,000 children suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in the United States, according to the American Heart Association.
Combined with the nearly 2,000 sudden cardiac arrest deaths reported annually among otherwise healthy individuals younger than 25, these statistics underscore the need for hospitals to maintain the expertise, training and resources necessary to deliver lifesaving care when every second counts.
When every second counts, families across the Rio Grande Valley can rely on South Texas Health System (STHS) Children’s for high-quality pediatric emergency care.
In recognition of its commitment to delivering evidence-based resuscitation treatment and improving survival outcomes for children experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest, the hospital has earned the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®–Resuscitation Bronze Achievement Award.
“For families, there’s nothing more important than knowing their child will receive exceptional care in a medical emergency,” said Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Children’s and STHS Edinburg. “This recognition demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in pediatric resuscitation and reflects the extraordinary work of our physicians, nurses and clinical staff to deliver lifesaving care close to home for the children of the Rio Grande Valley.”
This achievement recognizes STHS Children’s commitment to implementing nationally recognized, evidence-based resuscitation practices that help improve survival and recovery outcomes for pediatric patients experiencing life-threatening emergencies.
To earn the Get With The Guidelines–Resuscitation Bronze Achievement Award, hospitals must demonstrate adherence to established resuscitation guidelines and a sustained commitment to quality improvement. These efforts encompass rapid response protocols, high-quality resuscitation care, patient safety initiatives and comprehensive post-cardiac arrest treatment designed to optimize outcomes.
Through its dedication to clinical excellence and continuous improvement, STHS Children’s continues to advance the quality of pediatric emergency care available in the Rio Grande Valley, ensuring children and families have access to lifesaving treatment when it matters most.
“We are pleased to recognize STHS Children’s for its commitment to following the guidelines for in-hospital cardiac arrest,” said Paul Chan, M.D., MSc, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Resuscitation System of Care Advisory Group. “Hospitals that participate in Get With The Guidelines often achieve better patient outcomes and improved survival rates — a meaningful win for health care systems, families and communities.”
In addition to earning the bronze achievement award, STHS Children’s also received the American Heart Association’s Target: CPR™ recognition, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to delivering high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation and improving cardiac arrest survival outcomes.
The ability to consistently perform high-quality CPR is critical to improving outcomes for patients experiencing cardiac arrest. In fact, the difference between CPR and high-quality CPR can mean the difference between life and death. Hospitals recognized with the Target: CPR designation demonstrate a commitment to measuring and monitoring CPR quality during Code Blue events through the Get With The Guidelines–Resuscitation program, helping ensure patients receive care that aligns with nationally recognized best practices.
By continuously evaluating resuscitation performance and adhering to evidence-based standards, STHS Children’s is strengthening its ability to provide timely, effective lifesaving care and improve outcomes for children facing life-threatening cardiac emergencies throughout the four-county region.
Home to the Valley’s largest dedicated pediatric emergency department, STHS Children’s has proudly served children and families across the four-county region for more than 20 years. Through its comprehensive pediatric services and commitment to clinical excellence, STHS Children’s continues to provide specialized, high-quality care close to home.
To learn more about the services available at STHS Children’s, visit www.sthschildrens.com.
