DURING A STROKE: BE FAST – CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY

In case of stroke every minute counts

  • In one second 32,000 brain cells die

  • In the next 59 seconds an ischemic stroke can kill 1.9 million brain cells.

Transport via 911 leads to most expedited treatment and the best possible outcome for a stroke patient.

 

Activating emergency medical services (EMS) is the most important factor in reducing delay times to hospital arrival for stroke patients.

  • EMTs can direct patients to certified stroke centers. An EMT is able to direct the patient to a hospital that is designated and certified to treat his/her specific stroke

  • EMTs can direct patients to certified stroke centers. An EMT is able to direct the patient to a hospital that is designated and certified to treat his/her specific stroke

  • Notifies ER and confirms fastest route. If a stroke is diagnosed infield, the EMT will notify the closest stroke certified hospital of the emergency and confirm fastest route to treatment

  • Faster care and treatment. Receiving clinician is able to collect pertinent patient information, thus the acute stroke patient will receive appropriate care not only quicker but with more accurate consideration

  • Stroke alert. The receiving hospital calls “Stroke Alert” and the stroke team assembles in the ER for the incoming patient

  • Saves lives. This system is in place to improve patient outcomes and save lives

Stroke is an emergency. Call 911 immediately.

Why not find an alternate transport to the ER?

  1. Driving one to the hospital will cost a stroke patient time lost to treatment waiting for admission with the general populations in the Emergency Room
  2. The hospital will not be able to prepare for the patient with further time lost to lifesaving treatment
  3. The patient will not be able to receive immediate stabilizing treatment by the EMT
  4. Delay in treatment for stroke leads to worse outcomes, lifetime of disability or worse

How much does an ambulance ride cost?

  1. Although the cost of the ambulance transport might vary depending on insurance coverage and other factors, the costs of living with disability from a stroke far outweigh the cost of the lifesaving ambulance ride.
  2. An EMT will assess the symptoms and ONLY transport the patient if diagnoses affirms suspicion of a stroke – there is NO COST to the patient if stroke is excluded

FAST action leads to good outcome.

Case Study by Regional Medical Center of San Jose.

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A hospital case study shows the importance of getting emergency care when having a stroke. A patient who was able to receive stroke treatment within 13 mins from time of arrival to the ER and was able to be discharged home.

Initial assessment upon arrival to ER

66yr old male with past medical history of A-fib not on any blood thinners, DM and HTN presents to the ED with left side weakness, slurred speech, and right sided gaze 30mins prior to arrival to the emergency department via EMS.

Hospital Course

Received IV alteplase in 13mins from the time of the arrival. Underwent for thrombectomy but the majority of the clot has been dissolved from the IV tpa and remaining clot was very distal for extraction, so the procedure was aborted. He was started on Eliquis for A-fib. Performed a Transesophageal Echocardiogram to rule out any thrombus in the ventricles or a PFO which was negative. We completed patient’s remaining workup and he was discharged home.