Stroke FAST Response in the Workplace
When a stroke strikes in the workplace, you need to act F.A.S.T. The acronym helps you spot key signs: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call emergency services. But stroke FAST assessment has limitations and may miss posterior strokes causing vision problems or imbalance. Knowing additional symptoms like sudden dizziness is essential. Swift action is imperative—every minute counts in minimising brain damage.
To ensure workplace safety and compliance, it’s crucial to train your team in stroke recognition and response. Implement regular first aid training sessions that cover the stroke FAST assessment and additional stroke symptoms and encourage employees to report any signs of a stroke immediately to designated first aiders or supervisors.
In addition, maintain a well-stocked first aid kit that includes items such as a blood pressure monitor and a stroke assessment chart. Ensure that emergency contact numbers are clearly displayed and easily accessible.
Develop an emergency response plan that outlines the steps to take when a stroke is suspected, including contacting emergency services, providing first aid, and ensuring the safety of the affected employee and others in the workplace.
By empowering your team with accredited first aid, including stroke recognition skills and having a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan in place, you can significantly improve outcomes for employees experiencing a stroke in the workplace.
FAST Stroke Assessment: What It Is and Why It Matters
The FAST stroke assessment, a 4-letter acronym for identifying acute strokes, is a crucial component of workplace first aid training. It stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to act. Developed collaboratively in 1998 by UK stroke specialists, paramedics, and ER doctors, it’s designed to expedite emergency response within the critical 3-hour window of stroke onset. Studies show variable diagnostic accuracy by paramedics, with positive predictive values between 64% and 77%.
The FAST stroke assessment acronym is a vital tool for rapid stroke response in workplace first aid training.
Adopted globally, including by the American Heart Association, it’s now integrated into standard workplace emergency protocols. FAST prioritises rapid action via the “Time is Brain” principle to preserve brain function. It guides concurrent management of airways, basic life support, and communication during assessment.
By identifying anterior circulation stroke symptoms, it facilitates swift activation of emergency services and supports pre-arrival notifications to mobilise care teams. Incorporating FAST stroke assessment into workplace first aid training ensures compliance with safety regulations, enhances emergency preparedness, and empowers employees to respond effectively to potential stroke incidents.
Regular training and drills reinforce these skills and maintain a high level of readiness. Alongside FAST, workplaces should have well-maintained first aid kits, accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and clearly marked emergency exits and assembly points.
Investing in comprehensive first aid training, including FAST stroke assessment, demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being and creates a safer work environment.
Recognising the Signs: Face, Arm, Speech, Time
Recognising the signs of a stroke is a crucial skill that every workplace should prioritise in their first aid training. When assessing a potential stroke victim, remember the FAST acronym: Face, Arm, Speech, Time. This simple tool can help employees quickly identify stroke symptoms and take swift action to ensure the best possible outcome for their colleague.
During first aid training, participants learn the importance of checking for facial drooping or asymmetry when the person smiles. Employees are taught to have the individual raise both arms and observe if one drifts down or feels numb. Encourage them to listen for slurred speech and ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Stroke is a leading cause of disability in Australia. It is the primary cause of adult disability and the third most common cause of death in the country, making rapid recognition and response essential for minimising long-term impacts on the affected employee and the workplace as a whole.
Trained first aiders know that if any of these signs are present, immediately calling 000 (emergency services in Australia) and recording the exact time symptoms began is critical. They also know the critical role of prompt treatment with clot-busting drugs within 3-4.5 hours of symptom onset.
As part of a thorough workplace safety plan, employees should be encouraged to remain vigilant for other sudden symptoms, such as vision changes, balance issues, or severe headaches. Emphasis should be placed on acting quickly and knowing the signs which can significantly improve stroke outcomes and potentially save a colleague’s life.
Incorporating stroke recognition and response into workplace first aid training demonstrates a commitment to employee safety, compliance with health and safety regulations, and emergency preparedness.
BE-FAST: An Alternative Approach and Its Drawbacks
Assessing Stroke in the Workplace: Is BE-FAST the Answer?
While the FAST assessment is a standard tool for detecting strokes in the workplace, it may miss posterior circulation strokes. The BE-FAST approach adds balance and vision symptoms to improve detection, reducing missed cases from 14.1% to 4.4%. This method combines self-reported symptoms with clinical findings for more accurate screening, which is crucial for workplace safety and compliance. 71% of strokes missed by FAST involved vertebrobasilar territory; this reduced to 43% with BE-FAST.
When considering emergency preparedness in your workplace, it’s essential to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the BE-FAST approach. While it improves stroke detection compared to FAST, it isn’t perfect and requires additional resources and training.
Employers should assess their specific needs and resources when deciding whether to implement BE-FAST as part of their workplace first aid training and safety protocols.
The NIH Stroke Scale: Identifying Large Vessel Occlusions
The NIH Stroke Scale helps doctors identify if someone is having a stroke caused by a large vessel occlusion. This is when a major blood vessel in the brain gets blocked. The scale includes simple tests like checking if a person can move both arms equally, speak clearly, and follow simple commands. Higher scores on this scale often mean a more serious stroke that might be caused by a large vessel blockage.
Quickly recognising these types of strokes is very important. When doctors use the NIH Stroke Scale and find signs of a large vessel occlusion, they can quickly choose the right treatment. This might include special procedures to remove the blockage, which work best when done soon after symptoms start. Using this scale helps healthcare teams make fast decisions that can save brain cells and improve recovery chances.
Ataxia and Visual Changes: Challenges in Prehospital Assessment
Recognising strokes presenting with ataxia and visual changes poses significant challenges for workplace first aid responders. 25% of strokes don’t exhibit classic face-arm-speech symptoms, making them harder to identify in an emergency.
Posterior circulation strokes frequently cause visual disturbances and limb ataxia, but these signs are less specific than traditional symptoms. When ataxia combines with vestibular dysfunction, it may suggest multifocal vascular disease or metabolic disorders, further delaying stroke recognition. The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) is a clinical tool that can help assess cerebellar ataxia in these cases, but its use may be limited in prehospital settings.
In addition, monitoring blood glucose is essential, as hypoglycaemia can mimic stroke symptoms.
To ensure workplace safety and compliance, every workplace should have:
Investing in these measures will enhance emergency preparedness and improve outcomes for workers experiencing strokes or other medical emergencies.
Time Is Brain: the Critical Importance of Swift Action
When every minute matters, the “Time is Brain” principle underscores the urgency of first aid response in the workplace. Swift action is paramount, as an untreated medical emergency can result in:
- Significant harm or loss of life
- Decreased productivity and increased absenteeism
- Legal and financial consequences for the organisation
- Negative impact on employee morale and well-being
Every minute counts in a medical emergency; delaying response by even 30 minutes can significantly worsen outcomes for the affected employee.
The nature of the emergency also influences time sensitivity, with severe incidents requiring immediate intervention. Understanding the time-critical nature of workplace first aid is essential for ideal outcomes.
Stroke Recognition
To ensure workplace safety and compliance, prioritise training all staff on essential first aid skills, including stroke recognition. Adopt the F.A.S.T. acronym to quickly identify face drooping, arm weakness, speech issues, and time urgency. Emphasise the need for an immediate 000 call, as delays worsen outcomes.
Make sure that your workplace highlights the following key points:
- Strokes occur frequently, making swift action vital for employee well-being.
- Prevention and early intervention reduce long-term costs and productivity loss.
- Expand detection with B.E. F.A.S.T., including balance issues and eye/vision problems.
- Utilise engaging training tools like role-playing scenarios and infographics.
- Ensure first aid kits are well-stocked and easily accessible.
- Designate and train first aid officers to lead emergency response efforts.
- Conduct regular drills to maintain readiness and identify areas for improvement.
- Display clear emergency procedures and contact information in prominent locations.
- Encourage a culture of safety and empowerment to act in medical emergencies.
- Comply with Australian workplace health and safety regulations and standards.
Take action now to protect your workplace and empower your team with life-saving skills! Enrol in a nationally recognised first aid course with First Aid Workplace Training today and ensure your staff are prepared for any emergency. Book your training now and make safety a priority
References
- https://www.myamericannurse.com/stroke-act-fast/
- https://www.stroke.org/-/media/Files/Affiliates/BiState-Stroke-Symposium/Prehospital-Stroke-Assessment-Tools-and-Benefits.pdf
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.035696
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.116.015169
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAST_(stroke))
- https://www.physio-pedia.com/Stroke:_Assessment
- https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms
- https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/symptoms
- https://www.beaumont.org/health-wellness/blogs/stroke-symptoms-from-fast-to-faster
- https://www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke/signs-of-stroke/fast-signs-of-stroke-are-there-other-signs
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I suspect someone is having a stroke?
Stroke is a medical emergency, if you suspect someone is having a stroke, call emergency medical services immediately. Remember the FAST test: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call for help.
What are the common signs and symptoms of stroke?
The common signs of stroke may include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion, difficulty speaking, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, and difficulty walking or loss of balance.
What are the two main types of stroke?
The two main types of stroke are acute ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed, and hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures.
What is the emergency medical stroke treatment?
The emergency medical treatment for stroke often includes administering clot-busting drugs for acute ischemic stroke or surgical interventions for hemorrhagic stroke, depending on the type and severity of the stroke.
What are the factors that put someone at risk of stroke?
The risk of having a stroke can be influenced by factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, and a family history of stroke. Lifestyle changes and medical treatments can help reduce this risk.
How can we prevent stroke?
Stroke prevention can be achieved through lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, avoiding smoking, and adhering to prescribed medications.
What are the symptoms of a stroke that I should be aware of?
Symptoms of a stroke can include sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing, sudden dizziness or loss of balance, and sudden severe headache with no known cause.
