Ocala Hospital first Marion County hospital recognized as Regional Resuscitation Center of Excellence

Ocala, FL — HCA Florida Ocala Hospital today announced that it became the first hospital in Marion County, and only the second in the state of Florida, to be recognized as a Regional Resuscitation Center of Excellence, an ongoing statewide initiative to improve patient outcomes for cardiac arrest. 

The designation means HCA Florida Ocala Hospital met more than two dozen criteria for patient care established by the Florida Resuscitation Center Committee (FRCC). Created by the state, the FRCC aims to standardize emergency care for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests throughout Florida to improve survival rates. Under FRCC guidelines, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is a Comprehensive Resuscitation Center, the highest level possible. 

According to the FRCC, cardiac arrest survival rates in Florida are low, with a statewide average of only about 9%. Consequently, cardiac arrest kills more than 350,000 Floridians each year. 

“It really does take a village to improve outcomes in cases involving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest,” said Alan Keesee, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “This is why we do what we do: To be the best hospital for our community, to improve survivability, and to improve the outcomes for our patients. What I’m most proud of is this team coming to work every single day, being available for our community no matter what. Our logo is ‘We Show Up,’ and we really do show up for our community and we’re proud of this program.” 

On behalf of the Florida Association of EMS Medical Directors, Dr. Ben Abo said, “This milestone by HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared altruistic vision. Through continued joint efforts, unwavering dedication, and a commitment to meaningful survival, something truly significant has been achieved. We should be extremely proud of not just making progress — we are shaping a brighter future where impact and purpose go hand-in-hand.” 

“Resuscitation is a community effort — from bystander CPR to a 911 dispatcher’s telephone CPR instruction, along with EMS adopting high performance CPR and dedication from the receiving hospital,” said Tom DiBernardo, coordinator of the Florida Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival, or CARES, program under the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight. “The designation as a comprehensive resuscitation center shows the commitment of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital to providing the latest resuscitation science.”

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“With partnerships, education, resources, commitments, and collaboration between everybody involved, our survival rate is light years ahead of where we once were. And we are leading the state in resuscitation survivability,” said Robert Kruger, deputy chief of Emergency Medical Services for Marion County Fire Rescue. “I appreciate HCA Florida Ocala Hospital stepping up and taking on this challenge, and know that Marion County Fire Rescue is here to support you in this endeavor any way we can.” 

HCA Florida Ocala Hospital earned the FRCC recognition by using many best practices that align with the committee’s criteria. Some of those efforts include: 

• Standardized care plans for patients and extensive patient education about reducing cardiac risk.
• Evidence-based protocols affecting emergency department resuscitation efforts.
• Multidisciplinary support for the cardiology unit that is in-house and available around the clock.
• In-house Mechanical Circulatory Support technology and capabilities, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO.
• Intensive neurological critical care monitoring.
• Strong collaboration with Emergency Medical Services partners.
• Community outreach programs that promote health and lifestyle modifications to decrease the prevalence of cardiac disease, and that increase CPR skills for community residents.
• Involvement in research and advancement of the science of cardiac arrest care.