Successful STEMI Drill with Cuero Regional Hospital Strengthens Emergency Cardiac Care in the Crossroads Region
3/31/2025
Victoria, TX – Cuero Regional Hospital, in collaboration with DeTar Healthcare System, recently conducted a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) Drill to enhance emergency response capabilities for severe heart attack patients. The drill provided a realistic simulation to test coordination between emergency medical teams and hospital departments, ensuring patients receive the fastest, most effective care possible.
According to the metrics set by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, the goal for door-to-door reperfusion (from Cuero Regional Hospital to DeTar Hospital’s cath lab) is less than 120 minutes. This goal was met in just 94 minutes, marking the STEMI drill as a success.
Simulating a Life-Saving Response
The drill began at Cuero Regional Hospital’s emergency room, where the "patient," portrayed by Cuero Regional Hospital board member Faye Sheppard, presented with symptoms of a severe heart attack.
Emergency personnel at Cuero Regional Hospital quickly assessed the situation, called a STEMI alert within 6 minutes and prepared for an urgent transfer to DeTar Hospital Navarro ER, where a specialized cardiac team awaited.
Cuero Regional Hospital EMS played a key role in transporting the "patient" safely while maintaining essential care en route. Upon arrival at DeTar Hospital Navarro’s emergency department via Cuero Regional Hospital EMS, the DeTar ER medical team seamlessly took over, ensuring the transition from CRH EMS to DeTar Navarro hospital staff was efficient and effective. The drill concluded in DeTar’s cath lab, where interventional cardiologist Dr. Harish Chandna was ready to perform a life-saving procedure to restore blood flow to the heart.
Enhancing Regional Cardiac Care
Jolene Balboa, R.N., director of cardiovascular services at DeTar, shared, “This STEMI drill emphasized the importance of quick response times and seamless communication between emergency teams. Every second counts during a heart attack, and drills like these help refine protocols to ensure better outcomes for real patients.”
"Time is muscle when it comes to treating heart attacks," said Lynn Falcone, CEO of Cuero Regional Hospital. "This drill demonstrated Cuero Regional Hospital’s commitment to providing the fastest, most effective care possible. Through seamless coordination and continued training, we are improving cardiac care in Cuero and the surrounding areas we serve and saving lives."
Recognizing Key Partners
“The success of this STEMI drill would not have been possible without the dedicated involvement of Cuero Regional Hospital’s healthcare and emergency response teams,” said Bernard Leger, CEO of DeTar Healthcare System. “A special thank you to Victoria College’s emergency medical services (EMS) program students, Cuero Regional Hospital ER & EMS departments, DeTar Hospital Navarro ER and the DeTar cath lab team for their expertise and commitment to patient care in running these drills.”
Ongoing Commitment to Patient Care
By conducting these realistic training exercises, hospitals, EMS teams, first responders and EMS students at Victoria College can refine their procedures and continue providing life-saving care for heart attack patients.
Leger said, “DeTar Healthcare System remains committed to ongoing education and collaboration with regional hospitals and their emergency response teams to enhance cardiac care services for the Crossroads.”
For more information on STEMI response protocols or cardiac care services available in the region, please contact DeTar Healthcare System at www.detar.com or Cuero Regional Hospital at www.cueroregionalhospital.org
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