Mobile stroke units are not widely used in all parts of the United States, but they should be.
New research indicates that mobile stroke units can help improve the outcomes that those who are suffering from a stroke experience. This research comes out of Weill Cornell Medicine, with study results published in the Annals of Neurology.
They found that 31 percent of those that were treated by mobile stroke units were able to have symptoms resolved within 24 hours of stroke onset, compared to only 21 percent of those treated in a traditional hospital setting. 18 percent were able to have their stroke completely averted, again compared to only 11 percent that were treated in hospitals.
Mobile stroke units can be housed in a typical ambulance. Only extra training and a small amount of extra equipment is needed. However, although this does mean extra costs for hospitals, it does seem that it has big benefits when it comes to the long term outcome that those who are suffering from a stroke will experience.
Your senior care should work for your family when it comes to improving long term outcomes and quality of life. That doesn’t necessarily mean that medical experience is necessary for a caregiver–most in-home caregivers don’t have this kind of a background. However, training in recognizing stroke symptoms and knowing what to do is never too much to ask from a caregiver. This is why we provide our caregivers with ongoing training in areas like this. Senior care is supposed to help improve the quality of life that someone faces. It’s our hope here at Paradise In-Home Care that things like this can help our caregivers make life just a little bit better for the families that we serve.
If you’re wondering how best to help a loved one who might be suffering from a stroke, the acronym “FAST” is an easy way to identify the signs of a stroke. It stands for Face, Arms, Speech, and Time. When assessing someone for a possible stroke, you should first check their Face for any drooping or weakness, ask them to raise both Arms to see if one drifts down. Then, listen to their Speech for slurring or difficulty in articulation. If any of these signs are present, write down the Time when the symptoms began and call emergency services (911) immediately. This rapid assessment helps in early recognition and prompt medical intervention, which can significantly improve a stroke victim’s chances of a better outcome. Doing this quickly is vital as research shows that if a stroke can be treated within two hours of onset, the prognosis for the patient tends to be much better.
And that’s the big reason why a mobile stroke unit is so effective. It ensures that someone who is suffering from a stroke is treated just a little bit sooner. When it comes to stroke recovery, every single moment counts. Improving access to quick treatment is vital for the long term success of seniors recovering from a stroke. Hopefully, this becomes more widespread as awareness of mobile stroke units grows.
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