Ems Warnings Signs Of Stroke Awareness

Being able to identify the warning signs of a stroke and take appropriate and immediate action is vital to increase the chances of recovery and even survival for a stroke victim. The problem is for the person suffering the stroke they are usually debilitated and unable to call the emergency services.

This is where the national Emergency Medical Services (EMS) stroke awareness comes in. They are implementing an ongoing stroke awareness and support campaign that aims to educate and empower the entire medical services infrastructure that may be called upon to support and treat a stroke victim. They are also aiming at educating the public to be better informed and able to identify early warning signs of stroke and corresponding stroke symptoms.

The more common or frequent symptoms of stroke include:

An unexplained and sudden numbing sensation or feeling very week in the face, or down one side of the body.

A rapid loss of vision, or blurring of vision, especially in just one eye.

Loss of speech, trouble talking or trouble understanding speech. Many stroke victims say they know something is happening but are unable to get the words out to tell anyone or that when they do speak, it is mumbled and undistinguishable as speech.

Severe and instantaneous headaches with no particular reason.

Feeling dizzy or unsteady or being unable to stand up, particularly if linked with any of the above symptoms.

The package being introduced by the EMS is aimed at educating and empowering everybody who plays any role within the realm of supporting a stroke victim. From call handlers, to paramedics, to medical staff, and even the scientists and research staff. The end result is a system that can get the support to a victim as quickly as possible to ensure their chances of stroke recovery are as high as possible.

Recent studies and surveys have discovered that on average, a person who had experienced a stroke waited 2 hours before calling for help. Reducing this time is vital to increasing the odds of recovering from a stroke, and that is one of the main focus points in educating people about the signs of stroke and its symptoms.

When the call for assistance arrives at the emergency communication center, the emergency medical dispatchers have updated protocols for dealing with stroke patients, and paramedics on the scene now have specific stroke protocols to follow when attending patients.

Some of these improvements include more appropriate patient assessments, better understanding of stroke symptoms, reports to physicians in emergency departments and transporting the patients to hospitals with stroke teams.

The survival of stroke patients is dependent on a team approach to care. Stroke care starts with the patient recognizing the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke and activating the EMS system as soon as possible. It really is critical that a stroke victim receive medical attention as quickly as possible to increase their chances of survival.