Emergency doctors Tadeusz Davenport and David Thomson from Port Macquarie Base Hospital with patient Michael Reid and his wife Susan, Stroke Care Coordinator Jenni Steel and Stroke Clinical Nurse Consultant Stephanie Barber.
Stroke outcomes rely on F.A.S.T actions and teamwork
Aug 15, 2024Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) is encouraging everyone to learn how to recognise the signs of a stroke this National Stroke Week (5-11 August).
Port Macquarie Base Hospital (PMBH) Stroke Care Coordinator Jenni Steel said two Mid North Coast residents presented to the hospital earlier this year, both suffering from a stroke on the same day and around the same time.
“When Michael Reid and Leonie Wiseman both had strokes, they were fortunate to be with people who knew what to do. They both required stroke treatment and urgent transport to John Hunter Hospital,” Ms Steel said.
“Multiple teams worked together seamlessly and communicated clearly to support both patients. It takes many members of the team to provide world-class care here and in immediate consultation with Telestroke neurologists.”
The Australian Stroke Foundation says the signs of a stroke can be remembered F.A.S.T – Face (has a side drooped?), Arms (can’t be raised), Speech (is slurred or confused), Time (is critical, call 000).
“Michael and Leonie are proof that the F.A.S.T actions of bystanders, paramedics, medical teams at PMBH and the NSW Telestroke Service saved their lives,” Ms Steel said.
Medical Director of the NSW Telestroke Service Professor Ken Butcher said both patients received clot-busting therapy within 40 minutes of their arrival at the hospital.
“There are many things to celebrate in this story, but the time it took to administer clot-busting medication is exemplary, as the national target is within 60 minutes.
“For the past 12 months, the median arrival to treatment timeframe for stroke in Port Macquarie has been 47 minutes. To achieve such fast times is impressive and accomplishing this simultaneously in two patients is noteworthy.”
Mr Reid and Ms Wiseman said they were grateful for the care received at both hospitals and from the NSW Telestroke Service.
“My mother passed away from a stroke. I assumed that having a stroke would be painful, but there was no pain. When I was told I was having a stroke, I couldn’t believe it,” Ms Wiseman said.
Mr Reid said he recovered quickly following the clot-busting treatment.
“By the time I got to Newcastle, the feeling and strength had started to return in my left leg and my speech and hand movement recovered soon after,” he said.
“I was lucky to be with people who knew what to do when my stroke happened. I would encourage people in the community to be aware of the signs of a stroke and seek help immediately.”
Port Macquarie Base Hospital and Coffs Harbour Health Campus are NSW Telestroke referral sites, which means patients presenting with stroke symptoms can quickly access specialists working as part of this statewide service hosted at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney.
Emergency Clinical Nurse Specialist Stephanie Barber said the introduction of the NSW Telestroke Service at Port Macquarie Base Hospital and Coffs Harbour Health Campus in 2020 has significantly improved patient outcomes.
“Rural and regional patients can be rapidly assessed by specialist neurologists and receive treatment quickly,” Ms Barber said.
What is a stroke?
A stroke usually causes a sudden change in a person’s abilities such as sensory or movement changes on one side of the body, inability to speak or comprehend words, confusion, problems with balance, vision changes, sometimes headaches or reduced alertness.
It is caused by an interruption in the blood supply, usually a blood clot, resulting in brain cells rapidly dying.
What to do
Getting the patient to a hospital quickly is vital – time is brain! The hospital can provide urgent CT scans and administer therapy to stop further brain damage.
Lifestyle factors
Both Mr Reid and Ms Wiseman are active and healthy which contributed to their rapid recoveries.
High blood pressure, smoking, limited physical activity, being overweight and poor diet can increase the risk of stroke occurrence.