Largo Hospital named Regional Resuscitation Center of Excellence

Largo, FL — HCA Florida Largo Hospital has been designated as a Comprehensive Regional Resuscitation Center of Excellence, a recognition from a statewide initiative aimed at improving survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest. This designation by the Florida Resuscitation Center Committee (FRCC) reflects Largo Hospital’s leading capabilities in emergency cardiac care.

Cardiac Arrest remains a leading cause of death in Florida, claiming approximately 350,000 lives annually. Despite medical advances, only one in ten individuals with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survive. This initiative aims to improve survival rates through bystander training in hands-only CPR, early activation of 9-1-1 followed by advanced emergency cardiac care in the appropriate hospital setting.

“As the most comprehensive heart hospital in HCA Florida Healthcare, our team has the experience and capabilities to deliver best-in-class advanced cardiac resuscitation. We are proud to partner with the American Heart Association, the FRCC, Sunstar EMS and Fire Rescue on this important life-saving initiative,” said Sebastian Strom, MD, CEO of HCA Florida Largo Hospital.

This commitment hits close to home for Theresa Malta who recently celebrated one year of survival following a sudden cardiac arrest at home. Her husband found her unresponsive, immediately called 9-1-1 and began CPR — a decision that helped save her life.

“I died three times before arriving to HCA Florida Largo Hospital,” Theresa shared. “I couldn’t walk and had lost all fine motor skills when I woke up, spending about four weeks in the hospital and inpatient rehabilitation. Today, I’m back at work, living my life and forever grateful for the team that brought me back.”