To Improve AccessTo Stroke Care (NAPSA)—When it comes to treating a stroke victim, immediate medical attention playsa significant role in reducing the patient’s risk of serious long-term disability and even death. Tn some areasof the United States, finding appropriate stroke care can be a challenge, as more than 75 percent of U.S. counties do not have hospitals that are equipped to treat stroke patients. However, advancements in telemedicine (the remote delivery of health care services) provide the promise of improved access to health care, especially in areas wherethere are geographicalbarriers and reduced resources. Telestroke (the use of telemedicine specifically for stroke care) can be used to narrow the gap in accessto expert stroke care and may improveoverall stroke management. WhatIs Telestroke? Telestroke enables neurologists at Certified Stroke Centers to remotely evaluate people who've had acute strokes and make diagnoses and treatment recommendations to emergency medicine doctors at other sites. Doctors communicate using digital video cameras, Internet telecommunications, robotic tele- presence, smartphones, tablets and other technology. Telestroke networksprovide the potential to greatly extend the reach of stroke systems of care into rural, remote and under- served regions. The need for more widespread, organized expert stroke careis evidenced by the substantial burden that stroke imposes on patients and society: Strokeis the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability. Every year, approximately 795,000 people in the United States havea stroke. Immediate medical attention maylimit the effects of stroke, so it is imperative that people call 9-1-1 at the first sign of stroke. Luckily, telestroke units can provide sustained high-quality stroke OVER 75% OF US COUNTIES lack a hospital with neurological services capable of treating stroke @ care to more regions throughout the country, including rural and underserved areas. Knowing the signs Did you know that one in every three Americansdoes not know any of the warning signs of stroke? Recognizing the signs and acting immediately could be the difference between makinga recovery andliving with long-term disability. If you suspect that you or someone you know is experiencing a stroke, there’s a four-letter acronym, “F.A.S.T.,” which correspondsto a test that can be used as a quick screeningtool: F=FACE, loss of function on one side of your face, which may look like drooping A=ARMS, sudden weakness on one side, which may mean you can’t hold the arm up S=SPEECH, like slurred speech T=TIME, timeto call 9-1-1. If the person shows any of these symptoms, please call 9-1-1 and get to the hospital immediately. Learn More For more information about stroke, visit www.strokeawareness.com/ strokecall911. Content sponsored by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. Genentech is committed to stroke education and awareness.
