Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital recognizes local EMS providers
Cypress Creek EMS Wins Two Awards for Excellence in Patient Care for Third Consecutive Year
HOUSTON, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital recently hosted a luncheon and ceremony during National EMS Week to recognize the life-saving efforts of local emergency medical services personnel. Every year, Houston Methodist Willowbrook honors the special accomplishments of EMS departments in the Northwest Houston area with the EMS Code STEMI and the Khurana EMS Stroke awards. For the third consecutive year, Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services was the recipient of both awards.
"Local EMS providers are usually the first line of contact for patients and the swiftness of EMS team members in responding to patients, assessing their medical needs and initiating treatment makes a big difference," said Beryl Ramsey, chief executive officer, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital & senior vice president, Houston Methodist. "It is our pleasure to recognize EMS providers who are bringing patients to Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, and are communicating efficiently with our emergency department and critical care staff to ensure patients who suffer from a stroke or heart attack have the best possible outcome."
Cypress Creek EMS was awarded the EMS Code STEMI Award for the most transmitted ECGs (electrocardiograms) from the field, meaning the department's EMS team brought the largest number of heart attack patients to Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital for care. STEMI stands for SegmenT Elevation Myocardial Infarction. The EMS Code STEMI is a process that is used to treat all heart attack patients within the first 90 minutes of an attack. Time is tissue and the sooner someone who is suffering a heart attack gets emergency care, the greater chance of a successful recovery.
In 2014, Cypress Creek EMS was awarded the Quickest Door-to-Balloon Time, achieving the fastest time from patient arrival at the hospital's emergency department to when the interventional cardiologist opened up the patient's blocked coronary artery, restoring blood flow to the heart. The national standard is under 90 minutes, and Cypress Creek accomplished a 29 minute door-to-balloon time in 2013.
The Khurana EMS Stroke Award for most Code CVAs triggered from the field 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 Hospital. This award is presented to the EMS provider that achieves the Fastest Door-to-tPA time, which is the time it takes for an ischemic stroke patient to arrive at the hospital's emergency department, complete evaluation, receive appropriate diagnostics and receive an infusion of the clot busting drug tPA. Administration of tPA within 90 minutes of symptom onset dramatically improves the chances of recovering from a stroke.
"We are very proud to be affiliated with EMS providers in Northwest Houston, who daily provide care to patients and we recognize the critical role first responders have in the lives of residents in this community," said Ramsey.
EMS personnel include paramedics, emergency medical technicians, first responders, fire fighters and police, and their commitment to public service is recognized annually during National EMS week.
About Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a 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®.
For the 10th year in a row, Houston Methodist has been named to FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list, and is one of only four Houston companies ranked.
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 the Women's & Children's Pavilion. For more information on 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.
Photo caption: Members of Cypress Creek EMS receive the EMS Code STEMI and the Khurana EMS Stroke awards from Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital executives during National EMS Week.
Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/EMS-Appreciation-Event-2015.mp4
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150618/224262
SOURCE Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
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