admin | TX-CARES

Rio Grande Valley TX-CARES Agency Saves Life

admin — Wed, 24 May 2023 15:09:54 +0000

Every day, our frontline emergency healthcare providers battle to save the lives of people with the most time-sensitive medical emergencies. These EMS professionals are remarkable in their skill, precision, and teamwork, and their efforts to save those on the brink of death are truly heroic.

One such incredible save occurred recently in the City of Pharr, Texas. Michael “Jim” Naida was enjoying a round of golf with his wife one hot afternoon when he began to experience chest pain and shortness of breath on the 7^th hole. He felt woozy.

A call to 9-1-1 was placed. City of Pharr EMS arrived shortly thereafter and witnessed Mr. Naida suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). They immediately initiated their resuscitation protocol, performing chest compressions, defibrillation, and ventilations that together saved his life and preserved excellent cognitive function.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Mr. Naida said in a video produced by the City of Pharr. “You certainly gave me my life back again and that was wonderful. I have to commend the City of Pharr.”

City of Pharr EMS participates in the Texas Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (TX-CARES), an OHCA data collection platform EMS agencies and hospitals use to measure and optimize care and outcomes in the communities they serve. About 85 agencies and 150 hospitals are enrolled in the program, which compiled complete records on more than 11,000 OHCAs statewide in 2022.

“The fact that they (the responding team) were able to recognize that quickly and were able to bring this gentleman back and he’s alive today … that’s awesome,” said Chief Daniel Ramirez. “Somebody’s grandpa is still alive, somebody’s husband is still alive, somebody’s brother is still alive, somebody’s dad is still alive.”

The care that literally restored Mr. Naida to life is another example of the improbable cardiac resuscitations that Texas-CARES communities continually perform. Our thanks to these agencies and hospitals, a sincere congratulations to City of Pharr EMS, and best wishes to Mr. Naida and his family.

CARES Data Summary Report 2022

admin — Tue, 23 May 2023 18:44:24 +0000

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death, but we can save many lives with simple, life-saving therapies such as bystander CPR and AED use. Texas-CARES accurately tracks OHCA incidence, demographics, event characteristics, and patient outcomes in communities statewide and helps implement interventions to assure patients receive early, high-quality care. The Texas-CARES 2022 Data Summary Infographic provides a visual overview of key 2022 measures.

Click here to download the latest: 2022 TX-CARES Summary Report Infographic_Final_5-17-23

UTHealth Houston: Save a Life Event Recap & Thank You

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 17:36:45 +0000

On Wednesday, January 25^th, the Mobile Simulation Training Unit (MSTU) team held the second UTHealth Houston Saves A Life event of this academic year, titled “How To Use an AED”, on the TMC campus in Webber plaza. This segment focused on teaching students, faculty, and general members of the Houston community how to use an AED device, as well as teaching hands-only CPR. Thankfully, the weather cooperated, and we had a great turnout! For those who missed the event this time, pictures are attached. A compilation video was been posted to the UTHealth Houston Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages (see links below).

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success! Several members of our Emergency Department, including our Chair Dr. Bobrow, faculty, and residents, as well as several medical student liaisons came to offer their assistance with teaching about 25 participants, the majority of them being excited and eager McGovern medical students. We were able to use our CPR analyzing manikins to give real-time feedback and analyze compressions, as well as AED devices to teach attendees how to properly place pads and use the device when needed in emergency situations. We received a lot of feedback on how useful the event was for those who participated, and how happy they were to be able to have some hands on experience to tie into what they have learned in classes and training courses.

From UTHealth Department of Emergency Medicine: https://med.uth.edu/emergencymedicine/2023/01/31/ut-health-houston-save-a-life-event-thank-you/

UTHealth House Calls Event

admin — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 20:20:09 +0000

The Emergency Medical Response: Be Prepared to Save a Life

Learn the proper steps to take during a medical emergency.
Sometimes saving a life comes down to a few crucial moments.

View Webcast

Featuring:

Bentley J. Bobrow, MD, FACEP

Chair of Emergency Medicine at UTHealth

Bentley J. Bobrow, MD FACEP is Professor and Chair and John P. and Katherine G. McGovern Distinguished Chair of Emergency Medicine at UTHealth. He is focused on improving outcomes for major public health problems including out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, traumatic brain injury, acute stroke, substance abuse, and behavioral health emergencies. As a public health official for more than 20 years, he has partnered with 9-1-1 centers, EMS agencies, municipal fire departments, hospitals, university researchers and the public to implement and measure systems of care for effectively responding to these emergencies. Dr. Bobrow is a past Chair of the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Subcommittee and a co-author of the Institutes of Medicine Report on Cardiac Arrest. He has collaborated to launch the Texas-Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) Program.

UTHealth House Calls

admin — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 02:45:15 +0000

UTHealth House Calls

The Emergency Medical Response: Be Prepared to Save a Life

When: Thursday, November 14, 2019 6 to 8 pm

Where: Star Motor Cars, 7000 Katy Road Houston, Texas 77024

Schedule:

6 pm | Welcome
6:30 pm | UTHealth presentation and Q&A
7 pm | Reception

Complimentary valet

House Calls

Thursday, November 14, 2019 6 to 8 pm

Featuring:

Bentley J. Bobrow, MD, FACEP

Chair of Emergency Medicine at UTHealth

Survivor Story: Scott Corron

admin — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 16:53:34 +0000

A few short years ago, Scott Corron suffered sudden cardiac arrest at a spin studio. His 12-year-old daughter was there. She was doing homework in the lobby. She was naturally frightened – she had no idea what was happening.

“There was my dad on the floor,” she said. “I just, like, freaked out.”

First responders were stuck in traffic but, as it happened, Mr. Corron was fortunate.

A physician assistant from Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute and a physician from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital were in the same class. They knew CPR and kept blood circulating to his heart, brain, and other vital organs for 15 minutes before first responders arrived. The facility did not have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Mr. Corron, who bikes 6,000 to 10,000 miles per year, regained a pulse after paramedics shocked his heart. “I think it’s a miracle that God places people where they’re supposed to be,” he said.

That was 2016.

His first cardiac arrest was in 2009. He was biking in Memorial Park when suddenly …

“I hit the street and was essentially dead,” he said.

First responders arrived, performed CPR, and used ice packs and cold saline to keep him alive and preserve brain function. The cooling process continued in the hospital.

“Not everyone is as lucky,” Mr. Corron said. “I feel lucky, I feel blessed.”

View More Survivor Stories

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Cardiac Arrest Registry Expands Reach Through Public-Private Collaboration

admin — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 18:27:24 +0000

CARES is expanding its reach, with a goal of including all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia in its registry and doubling the survival rate from witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests within five years, thanks to support from a collaborative group.

Please see the article here: http://news.emory.edu/stories/2019/10/mcnally_cares_expands_reach/