Mega Doctor News
Cardiac arrest remains one of the most serious medical emergencies in the United States, with an estimated 292,000 adults experiencing an in-hospital cardiac arrest each year, according to the American Heart Association.
Although often confused with a heart attack, cardiac arrest is a distinct condition. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, while cardiac arrest is caused by an electrical malfunction that disrupts the heart’s rhythm, causing it to stop beating suddenly.
While survival rates continue to improve, only about 23.6% of adult patients survive to hospital discharge, underscoring the critical importance of rapid recognition, high-quality CPR and evidence-based resuscitation care.
Without immediate treatment, cardiac arrest can quickly become fatal.
In recognition of its commitment to delivering evidence-based resuscitation treatment and improving survival outcomes for patients experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest, South Texas Health System (STHS) Edinburg has earned the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®–Resuscitation Silver Achievement Award.
The award recognizes STHS Edinburg’s dedication to implementing nationally recognized, evidence-based resuscitation practices that help improve survival and recovery outcomes for patients experiencing life-threatening cardiac emergencies.
“Every second counts when a life is on the line, and our team is committed to providing the highest level of care when patients need it most,” said Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg and STHS Children’s. “This recognition from the American Heart Association is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our physicians, nurses and clinical teams, who respond with expertise, urgency and compassion during some of life’s most critical moments. We’re honored to be recognized for our efforts to improve outcomes and save lives through high-quality, evidence-based resuscitation care.”
STHS Edinburg received the recognition award for meeting specific measures in treating patients who experience cardiac arrest while hospitalized.
“We are pleased to recognize STHS Edinburg 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.”
STHS Edinburg also earned the American Heart Association’s Target: CPR and Target: Survival awards.
The Target: CPR Award recognizes hospitals that monitor CPR quality during Code Blue events to help ensure the delivery of high-quality resuscitation care, while the Target: Survival Award honors hospitals with survival outcomes that exceed those of at least 60% of hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines–Resuscitation registry.
Together, these recognitions highlight STHS Edinburg’s commitment to providing evidence-based care that improves survival and recovery following in-hospital cardiac arrest.
For more information about STHS Edinburg’s comprehensive services, including its Level IV Trauma Center, visit www.southtexashealthsystemedinburg.com.
