Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Hosts Community Stroke Event

HOUSTON, June 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 150 community members attended an educational event on the Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital campus on May 29, 2014. Held in the Swadesh Khurana Healing Garden, guests were offered a free stroke risk assessment upon arrival, measuring their risk factors and assessing their knowledge regarding stroke signs and symptoms. Lunch was provided for all attendees, and the hospital's stroke team visited with guests, providing educational materials and answering questions.

Sheila Fata, vice president and chief nursing officer, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, welcomed the community and recognized the generous contributions of the Khurana family, which made the event possible. "We were blessed to have a representative of the Khurana family present at this event," said Ms. Fata. "The family has provided philanthropic support to advance stroke care and education programs at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, and it was such a privilege to hold this event in the 'Swadesh Khurana Healing Garden' which bears the name of their loved one, Swadesh Khurana, who lost her life due to a stroke."

The program started with a presentation by Kate Simpson, director of quality improvement at the American Heart Association, who presented the hospital with the prestigious "Get with the Guidelines" Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes hospitals for implementing excellent care for stroke patients according to evidence-based guidelines. The hospital was also recognized as a recipient of the association's Target: Stroke Honor Roll for improving timeliness of stroke care. Over the past year, 100% of the hospital's eligible ischemic stroke patients received tPA, a clot-busting agent, within 60 minutes of arriving at the hospital (known as 'door-to-needle' time). If administered within the first three hours after the start of stroke symptoms, tPA has shown signs of significantly reversing the effects of ischemic stroke and reducing permanent disability.

Following the award presentation, Dr. Amy Naquin-Chappel, neurologist and medical director of the Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Stroke Program, presented a lecture covering stroke prevention, recognizing and responding to signs and symptoms, and the latest treatments in stroke care. Speaking to the audience in lay terms, Dr. Naquin-Chappel engaged the audience with her interactive presentation, leading a question and answer session, and visiting with attendees following the program.

Response to the event was extremely positive. Betty Johnson, a new resident in the Houston area, attended the event and stated, "The stroke lecture at Houston Methodist Willowbrook was filled with practical information on causes of strokes, how to identify them, and what to do immediately if one occurs. Having a printed copy of the lecture was as helpful as the speaker's use of plain, everyday language. The icing on the event was being treated to a delicious, healthy lunch in a lovely setting on a gorgeous day. It was a winner."

For more information regarding the Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital stroke program or to find a physician that is right for you, please call 281.737.2500 or visit houstonmethodist.org/willowbrook.

About Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a not-for-profit, faith-based hospital, which is part of Houston Methodist. The facility opened on December 18, 2000. The campus has expanded in Northwest Houston to serve the comprehensive health care needs of the 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 Hospital has received its chest pain and stroke accreditations, performs complex surgeries such as neurosurgery and open heart, and focuses on women and children in its new Women's & Children's Pavilion. Utilizing the latest research and state-of-the-art technology, Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine has become the leader in orthopedic care in Northwest Houston. For more information on the comprehensive services available on the Houston Methodist Willowbrook campus, please visit houstonmethodist.org/willowbrook. To find a physician, call 281.737.2500.

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SOURCE Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital