Every second counts: CHRISTUS Health sets new stroke treatment record
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready. . . BEAUMONT – St. Elizabeth Hospital has achieved a remarkable milestone in stroke care, breaking a personal record for door-to-needle time and setting the new […]
Published 1:34 pm Thursday, July 2, 2026BEAUMONT – St. Elizabeth Hospital has achieved a remarkable milestone in stroke care, breaking a personal record for door-to-needle time and setting the new record of 14 minutes. Door-to-needle time refers to the duration between a stroke patient’s arrival at the hospital and the administration of the lifesaving medication, significantly improving their chances of recovery. On average, every 40 seconds, someone in the U. S. has a stroke, according to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each year, nearly 795,000 people in the U. S. experience a stroke, making it a leading cause of death and long-term disability. “This record isn’t just about a number,” said Cord Tucker, stroke program manager for CHRISTUS Southeast Texas – St. Elizabeth. “It’s about giving our patients the best possible chance of recovery. Every improvement in response time can have a lasting impact on a person’s quality of life. ”This achievement surpasses the previous record of 17 minutes, Tucker said. “Achieving this milestone is a testament to the teamwork and coordination of our emergency department, stroke specialists, pharmacy, laboratory and imaging teams,” Tucker said. “Every person involved plays a critical role, and together we’re continuing to provide integrated and reliable stroke care in Southeast Texas. ”Email newsletter signupA stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. Without adequate blood flow, brain cells begin to die within minutes. Recognizing the signs of a stroke and acting quickly can make all the difference, Tucker said. The acronym to help remember the signs of a stroke is: 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. To learn more about stroke care, visitchristushealth. org