A stroke occurs when there is a lack of blood supply to a part of the brain due to a blockage or rupture of an artery. This stroke causes the death of brain cells, which results in brain damage with various consequences that will depend on the speed of medical assistance.
Therefore, it is vitally important to alert 112 if we suspect that someone is suffering a stroke. To recognize if this is the case, these guidelines must be applied.
- Laugh: The mouth twists.
- Lift: It is difficult to raise the arm or it is not raised.
- Speak: It is difficult to speak, it is not understood.
- Stroke?: Abrupt presentation.
- Hurry!: Call 061 or 112 quickly.
The call will enter the SEM Health Coordination Center, which will activate the most appropriate resource; On arrival, SEM staff will use the international RACE scale created by neurologists at the Germans Trias Hospital to assess the severity of the stroke.
SEM gives the pre-alert to the nearest hospital in the stroke assessment and treatment network, which in the case of our health region would be the Joan XXIII University Hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital, it is determined whether it is due to tamponade or rupture and brain involvement.
The appropriate treatment will be applied with telematic support, if necessary, by a more specialized hospital and if the expected results are not achieved, the patient is transferred to a larger center for more complex treatment, which in the case of our region would be the Bellvitge University Hospital.
Currently, thanks to the application of this protocol, which has been applied since 2005, 50% of people can lead a normal life after approximately three months; 35% are left with sequelae or cognitive limitations; reducing mortality to 15%.
