North Oaks Health System Offers Stroke Education

[HAMMOND, La.]—Once every 40 seconds, an American has a stroke. Many put off getting the immediate medical attention that may minimize brain damage and prevent permanent disability.

North Oaks Health System is working to change this trend by building awareness of stroke’s warning signs and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention through the Get With The Guidelines®—Stroke program.

Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) was developed by the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association to help hospitals align with best practices and achieve better outcomes for stroke patients. Armed with GWTG educational materials, North Oaks Stroke Team members are available to speak to church and community organizations and perform complimentary stroke risk assessments. To request a presentation or screening at your next community event or meeting, call the North Oaks Education Department at (985) 230-5723.

GWTG education promotes the acronym FAST as a way to remember how to identify stroke’s warning signs:
Face—Does one side of the face droop? Ask the person to smile.
Arms—Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech—Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his or her speech slurred?
Time—If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately!

“Strokes are time dependent, and it’s critical to get patients to the hospital as quickly as possible,” shares Neurologist Patricio S. Espinosa, MD, MPH, of North Oaks Neurology Clinic.