BE FAST
If you have a stroke, quick treatment can prevent long-term disability. This is why our ER and Trauma Care services at Southeastern Med include special protocols for possible stroke patients, starting with vital CAT Scan testing. Through our affiliation with OhioHealth, we also have access to the OhioHealth Stroke Center, which allows network neurologists in Columbus to see and talk with our patients, nurses, and physicians. Once diagnosed, a stroke patient can be seamlessly transferred to an OhioHealth Stroke Center.
Signs You or Someone You Know Might Be Having a Stroke:
It’s important to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke. To do this, you can remember the words, “BE FAST”:
- B is for loss of balance or coordination.
- E is for trouble seeing out of one or both eyes.
- F is for face. Ask the person to smile. Is one side of the face crooked or drooping? Does their face feel numb?
- A is for arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one drift downward? Is one arm weak or numb?
- S is for speech. Ask the person to speak a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange? Does the person have trouble understanding you?
- T is for time. In the event of a stroke, every second counts to avoid the risk of brain damage.
If you believe you or someone you know is having a stroke, call 911 immediately!
