Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital honors local EMS first responders at awards luncheon and ceremony

"This past year was a true testament of our first responders' commitment to serving patients and this community," said Keith Barber, CEO of Houston Methodist Willowbrook and senior vice president of Houston Methodist. "When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, they answered the calls for help, rescuing people from the flood waters and bringing them to safety. When the waters receded, they answered the call again, cleaning up debris and rebuilding homes and businesses."

The Khurana EMS Stroke Award recognizes the EMS provider that achieves the fastest door-to-tPA time. The award was established as part of the Swadesh Khurana Endowment, honoring the memory of Swadesh Khurana and supporting the advancement of stroke care at Houston Methodist Willowbrook.

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a clot-busting drug used to treat patients with ischemic stroke. Administration of tPA within 90 minutes of the onset of symptoms dramatically improves the chances of recovery from a stroke. Cypress Creek EMS had a door-to-tPA time – which tracks the time it takes for a stroke patient to arrive at the hospital emergency department, complete evaluation, receive appropriate diagnostics and receive an infusion of tPA – of 22 minutes in 2017.

The EMS Code STEMI Award recognizes the EMS provider that has the fastest door-to-balloon time. EMS Code STEMI is a process used to treat heart attack patients within the first 90 minutes of an attack. Door-to-balloon time is the time from when a patient arrives at the hospital emergency department to when the interventional cardiologist opens up the patient's blocked coronary artery, restoring blood flow to the heart. The Houston Fire Department accomplished a door-to-balloon time of 27 minutes.

"We are honored to celebrate our EMS partners and our shared goal of providing exceptional care and quality service to the Northwest Houston community," said Barber. "From all of us at Houston Methodist and Northwest Houston, thank you for your bravery, service and compassion."

EMS personnel include paramedics, emergency medical technicians, first responders, fire fighters and police. Their commitment to public service is recognized annually during National EMS Week.

A video of the EMS awards ceremony and luncheon is available here.

About Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a 312 bed, not-for-profit, faith-based hospital, which is part of Houston Methodist. The hospital has expanded in Northwest Houston to serve the comprehensive health care needs of the growing community.

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital has been named a Magnet recognized health care facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program^®.

Houston Methodist Willowbrook is ranked No. 5 in the Houston metro area and No. 12 in Texas by U.S. News & World Report as a "Best Hospital" in 2017. 

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital specializes in cardiology and cardiovascular services, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, and comprehensive cancer services. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital has a Breast Care Center, Cancer Center, Imaging Center, Infusion Center, Sleep Center, and Surgical Weight Loss Center and operates a Childbirth Center with a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

For more information about the comprehensive services available on the Houston Methodist Willowbrook campus and to learn about upcoming events, please visit houstonmethodist.org/willowbrook. To find a physician, call 281.737.2500.

SOURCE Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital