CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels receives national award for stroke care

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels is being recognized for excellence in stroke care by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

The national award, Get With The Guidelines – Stroke, is given to hospitals who have demonstrated excellence in stroke care. The recognition was created to highlight the health care facilities providing the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines and quick recovery times. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels earned gold plus.

"We are honored to receive this accreditation,” said Lindsey Lancaster, stroke program manager for CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire hospital working together as a team for our stroke patients. We remain committed to our patients and this accreditation validates our efforts."

On average, every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke and every 3 minutes and 11 seconds, someone dies of stroke, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is blocked by a clot. When this happens, parts of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen needed, causing brain cells to die.

“There are 1.9 billion brain cells that die each minute during a stroke,” Lancaster said. “Early treatment can reduce disability and save lives.”

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels underwent a rigorous process to receive this national accreditation. The hospital demonstrated its commitment to quality care, following treatment guidelines and providing patients with education on health management and rehabilitation.

“I am dedicated to ensuring my community and the surrounding areas receive the highest level of stroke care,” Lancaster said. “This award reflects our commitment to respond quickly, deliver evidence-based care and ensure our patients receive the most advanced treatments available."

She said strokes can happen to anyone and knowing the signs and symptoms is crucial. The easiest way to recognize stroke symptoms is the acronym: BE FAST:

• B: Balance – Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
• E: Eyes – Is there sudden blurred or double vision?
• F: Face – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
• A: Arm – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• S: Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
• T: Time – If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately, as time is very important.

“I am extremely proud of our team for this incredible achievement,” said Genifer Rucker, president of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels. “Our hospital is like no other in this community. The care we provide and the services we offer are unmatched. Our patients and their families can rest assured that when they choose us, they are choosing a facility with the comprehensive care they need.”