Is it a stroke?

Potential stroke patients in GRMC's emergency department now have a specially trained neurologist "on the scene" to help diagnose the condition - thanks to a telemedicine mobile stroke detection robotic unit. The University of Iowa Stroke Center placed a robotic stroke unit in the GRMC emergency department that connects a UI neurologist and neurological diagnostic equipment to the GRMC patient. The neurologist actually sees the patient and the GRMC physician by a two-way camera and monitor. 

GRMC has had diagnostic equipment to assess patients for stroke but not fast access to a neurologist 24-7. This robotic unit provides that essential piece of the stroke diagnostic process. Faster assessment in the emergency department means faster treatment because minutes matter.

At the onset of stroke symptoms, minutes really do matter. The sooner clot-busting medications can be administered, the faster oxygen-rich blood feeds the brain and minimizes the effects of the clot in the brain. 

When you or someone around you shows signs of a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately to get medical attention and to the hospital fast. From there, GRMC emergency staff and UI Stroke Center will take quick action to get the right care for the symptoms. 

F-A-S-T is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you'll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help right away.

F-A-S-T stands for:

Face drooping -  Does one side of the face droop or numb? Ask the person to smile. Is their smile uneven?

Arm weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech difficulty - Is their speech slurred? Are they unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like, "The sky is blue." Can they repeat it correctly?

Time to call 9-1-1  If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get help immediately. Check the time so that you will know when the symptoms first appeared. 

What else?

Sometimes additional symptoms come on suddenly and may not fall into one of these more obvious signs of stroke. 

Sudden numbness or weakness of the leg

Sudden confusion or trouble understanding

Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Source: National Stroke Association