Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital partners with Cypress Creek EMS and local YMCA for life saving community education of early heart attack care

HOUSTON, Oct. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital recently partnered with Cypress Creek EMS and the D. Bradley McWilliams YMCA to provide real life education to the community on the importance of early heart attack care, also known as acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The organizations worked together to organize a code AMI drill on Wednesday, July 30, starting with a mock patient having symptoms of a heart attack at the YMCA facility in Northwest Houston.

Community members at the YMCA were made aware of the drill and were educated on signs and symptoms of a heart attack as well as steps that should be taken to get rapid treatment. Staff members from Houston Methodist Willowbrook and Cypress Creek EMS emphasized the importance of calling 911 in a true emergency.

Cypress Creek EMS volunteers responded emergently to the scene when called by their dispatcher who was on-site at the YMCA, and community members observed the outstanding care provided by EMS in responding and attending to a heart attack patient. The mock patient was then transported to Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital as part of the code AMI drill. In addition to community education, both Cypress Creek EMS and Houston Methodist Willowbrook used the drill as an opportunity to evaluate their organizations' response times and processes for quality review and improvement.   

"By collaborating with Cypress Creek EMS and the YMCA, we are able to get out into the community and truly educate people about rapid response to heart attack symptoms," said Beryl Ramsey, CEO of Houston Methodist Willowbrook and senior vice president of Houston Methodist.

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one cause of death of both men and women in the United States, and someone in the U.S. has a heart attack approximately every 34 seconds.

"One of our most important roles as a major hospital provider is to educate the community on cardiac care," said Ramsey. "While Houston Methodist Willowbrook offers the latest innovations and treatments in heart care, it starts with wellness, prevention and awareness."

For more information on Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, visit www.houstonmethodist.org/willowbrook.

Partnering with Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Cypress Creek EMS volunteers respond to a code AMI as part of a drill organized to provide community education regarding early heart attack care.

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