In the moments following cardiac arrest, every second counts. Rapid intervention, seamless teamwork and evidence-based care can make the difference between life and death.
As one of the most serious medical emergencies affecting communities nationwide, cardiac arrest demands strong resuscitation practices that improve survival rates and patient outcomes.
More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States, according to the American Heart Association, underscoring the need for rapid response and high-quality, evidence-based care.
In the hospital setting, resuscitation is a coordinated team effort that extends beyond restoring a heartbeat. From early recognition and high-quality CPR to post-cardiac arrest care, every step plays a critical role in improving survival and supporting a patient’s recovery.
In recognition of its commitment to delivering evidence-based resuscitation care and improving survival outcomes for patients experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest, South Texas Health System McAllen has earned the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation Bronze Achievement Award.
The achievement recognizes STHS McAllen’s dedication to implementing nationally recognized resuscitation practices, measuring performance through data-driven quality improvement efforts and advancing care that helps improve survival and recovery outcomes for patients facing life-threatening cardiac emergencies.
“This recognition represents far more than an award; it reflects the unwavering dedication of our physicians, nurses and clinical teams, who spend countless hours training, refining their skills and preparing for the moments when a patient’s life hangs in the balance,” said Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Officer, STHS McAllen. “When families place their trust in us during some of the most frightening moments of their lives, our teams are ready to respond with compassion, expertise and a shared commitment to giving every patient the best possible chance for survival.”
To earn the Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation Bronze Achievement Award, hospitals must demonstrate a sustained commitment to evidence-based resuscitation care by following American Heart Association guidelines, measuring performance through rigorous data collection and implementing continuous quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes.
STHS McAllen received this recognition award for meeting specific measures in patients who experience cardiac arrest while hospitalized.
“We are pleased to recognize STHS McAllen 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.”
Beyond the Bronze Achievement Award, STHS McAllen also earned the American Heart Association’s Target: CPR and Target: Survival awards, further demonstrating the hospital’s dedication to delivering exceptional resuscitation care.
While the Target: CPR Award recognizes hospitals for measuring and improving CPR quality during Code Blue events, the Target: Survival Award honors those whose patient survival outcomes surpass at least 60% of hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation registry.
Together, these distinctions reflect the hospital’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that when patients face a life-threatening cardiac emergency, they receive timely, high-quality care designed to maximize survival and support recovery.
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes acute care campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through South Texas Health System Behavioral.
The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first dedicated children’s facility and pediatric emergency room at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac emergency room at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo.
