Stroke Rapid Response Program Raises Awareness Of Stroke Symptoms
By: Alexian Brothers Hospital Network
Every 45 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Every three minutes, someone dies of one. More alarming, Chicago's northwest suburbs have one of the nation's highest death rates from stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death in the US, yet a good majority of these deaths and disabilities can be prevented.
After experiencing stroke symptoms, the average American waits 12-24 hours before seeking medical attention. Stroke is a "brain attack" and many treatments and procedures need to be administered within the first few hours of the stroke.
National Stroke Association (NSA), in a partnership with Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, will host a "Stroke Education Day" including a mock stroke drill to launch its Stroke Rapid Response EMS Training Program. The mock stroke incident will be followed by presentations from Dr. Phil Gorelick, Alexian Brothers Hospital Network Stroke Center Medical Director; John S. Garvin, Professor and Head Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation University of Illinois College of Medicine; Village of Palatine Emergency Medical Services personnel; and local stroke survivors. In addition, free stroke risk assessments will be offered to all those who attend and plenty of educational materials will be available to take home.
Stroke Rapid Response is a training program specifically designed to provide pre-hospital professionals with stroke training and the tools for stroke education. The mock stroke event is a supplementary program that is intended to raise public awareness of the symptoms of stroke.
The symptoms of a stroke include:
- Sudden numbness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
National Stroke Association, in conjunction with Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, and Palatine EMS will host this important stroke event in a continued effort to lower the incidence and impact of stroke. The event will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2005, 10:00 a.m. at Woodfield Mall -- in the Comcast Communications Court -- in front of Marshall Fields.
The National Stroke Association is a leading national non-profit organization devoting its efforts and resources to stroke -- including prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support for stroke survivors and their families. Contact the NSA at 1-800-STROKES or visit http://www.stroke.org/.
Contact: Brian Kolonick of National Stroke Association, +1-303-754-0918; or Matt Wakely of Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, +1-847-385-7176