What
to do When Stroke Strikes
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1. DOs
Anyone who has suffered a stroke has an increased risk of another
stroke. Very few people have any idea what to do if a loved one or a
workmate has a stroke. On all occasions stroke is a medical emergency.
- Place
the patient on their side on the floor in the recovery position
so saliva will drain out of their
mouth and loosen neckties or clothing
that may restrict breathing. Simultaneously call for
anyone in earshot to ring an ambulance and state it’s a
stroke emergency. If they are convulsing protect them from colliding
with hard or
sharp objects.
- Clear their airway so they
can breathe and make sure their tongue has not blocked their airway.
Do not place anything
in their
mouth. Do not give any fluids as they may choke to death.
- If you
are on your own, now ring for the ambulance stating it’s
a stroke emergency. Keep calm and give the ambulance
calltaker exact answers to their questions. They will ask
a number of questions that
will enable them to locate you quickly. Do not
hang up until they have taken all your details, otherwise
confusion
will
cost precious minutes.
- Sit with the patient and comfort
them until the ambulance
arrives. Above all do not panic, as this will heighten
the patients anxiety
and raise blood pressure.
- Upon arrival the paramedics
will ask a number of questions relating to the patient’s
medical history including allergies. Don’t
leave out bits you think are insignificant
as they may be of critical importance.
- The paramedics will
ask the patient a number of routine questions to ascertain
their mental state.
Questions
such as, what is your name,
where are you, where do you live, what is
the date, who is the prime minister, may sound mundane to
you but they
tell
the paramedics a lot
about the patients state so don’t help
out with the answers. They will also ascertain
if the
patient is seeing
double.
- The paramedics will immediately
place the patient on oxygen as part of the brain is starving
for
it.
- The driver will radio ahead
to determine which hospital can immediately accept the patient
and
alert the team
in ‘Emergency’ to
expect the patients arrival as prompt
action will minimize the extent of brain
damage.
- If
you can’t travel with the patient
be sure to ask what hospital they are
being taken
to.
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