Round Rock, Texas (October 6, 2008) - Seton Medical Center Williamson (SMCW) has been designated a Resuscitation Center of Excellence by the Austin/Travis County EMS System.
This designation is based on the SMCW commitment to process, capabilities, resources and physicians provided to cardiac arrest victims with the greatest chance of favorable neurologic outcomes.
"Though we are the furthest north and east of Austin, our hospital is certified to provide complex care to cardiac patients transported by Austin/Travis County EMS as far south as Pflugerville," said Michelle Robertson, vice president and chief operating officer, Seton Medical Center Williamson.
As part of the Resuscitation Center of Excellence requirement, SMCW has the Arctic Sun Cooling, an innovative device that lowers that patient's body temperatures. By cooling heart attack patients, brain damage is prevented.
Robertson added, "Studies have shown that, if done quickly and on the right patients, cooling the patient can increase survival rates".
Burnet EMS currently is also pursing hypothermia treatment and SMCW is the primary transfer site for Burnet County. Williamson County EMS is evaluating going to this hypothermia protocols by the end of the year.
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the