Clinical Indication

• suspected stroke patient

Procedure

• Assess and treat suspected stroke patient as per protocol.
• Use FAST assessment to evaluate three major physical findings to identify a stoke patient who requires rapid transport to the hospital.
• If possible, prehospital care providers should establish the time of onset of stroke signs and symptoms.

Stroke Test

1. Facial droop - Have patient show their teeth or smile.
• Normal - Both sides of face move equally
• Abnormal - One side of face does not move well as the other
2. Arm drift - Have patient close their eyes and hold both arms straight out with palms upwar.
• Normal - Both arms move in the same direction or do not move at all (pronator grip may be helpful)
• Abnormal - One arm does not move or one arm drifts down compared to the other.
3. Speech - Have patient say, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks."
• Normal - The patient uses correct words with no slurring.
• Abnormal - The patient uses incorrect words, slurs their words, or is unable to speak.
4. Time - Identify onset of symptioms or last know normal.