Baptist Jacksonville and Baptist South are bringing the highest standard of resuscitation care to the region
Both earned a “Florida Resuscitation Center of Excellence” designation for collaborating with First Coast emergency medical service agencies to optimize care for cardiac arrest patients.
Jacksonville, FL.
Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville and Baptist Medical Center South are the first hospitals in Northeast Florida to be named a “Florida Resuscitation Center of Excellence” for their commitment to working with the First Coast Emergency Medical Services (EMS) community to strengthen the network of life-saving care for patients experiencing cardiac arrest.
More than 417,000 people in the U.S. die from cardiac arrest each year, making it one of the leading causes of death in the country.1 The brain and other vital organs are deprived of oxygen-rich blood when the heart suddenly stops pumping. Without immediate treatment, injury to the brain can begin within minutes. Resuscitation, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), respiratory resuscitation, defibrillation and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), can quickly restore circulation and the delivery of oxygen, helping to save lives and support the best possible recovery.
Launched in 2022 by the Florida Resuscitation Center Committee, the initiative was designed to improve cardiac arrest outcomes across the state by creating a network of hospitals committed to resuscitation excellence. It aims to provide a smooth transition of care from emergency responders in the field to hospital-based medical teams. Certification as a Florida Resuscitation Center of Excellence signifies that hospitals have met or exceeded program standards for resuscitation care, setting them apart as leaders in these life-saving practices.
“Acting quickly can make a lifesaving difference and gives patients the best chance to recover,” said Tammy Daniel, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, executive vice president and chief nursing officer for Baptist Health. “Our highly skilled teams are trained to respond to these emergencies quickly when every second matters.”
“This recognition is a direct reflection of the life-saving work happening both in the field and inside our hospitals,” said Parker Brigance DNP, RN, CEN, director of emergency services for Baptist Health. “In critical moments, our collaboration with EMS ensures every second is used to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes.”
To achieve the “Florida Resuscitation Center of Excellence” designation, hospitals must meet more than a dozen rigorous, evidence-based criteria, including:
- Extensive collaboration with local EMS
- Consistent use of evidence-based protocols surrounding resuscitation efforts
- Timely activation of specialized teams
- Leveraging a coordinated care approach for complex patients
“For our community, this recognition means that when a cardiac emergency happens, they can trust they are receiving care guided by the highest clinical standards,” said Nicole B. Thomas, FACHE, president of Baptist Jacksonville. “We are proud to provide advanced, evidence-based resuscitation care close to home.”
“This milestone strengthens our resolve to keep raising the bar for emergency care,” said Kyle Dorsey, FACHE, president of Baptist South. “We remain focused on innovation, training and strengthening relationships with local emergency medical services to further improve survival rates and long-term recovery for our patients.”