Saskatchewan ambulances to display reminder to act FAST
- EFN Staff | December 23, 2015
Saskatchewanians will be more aware of the signs of stroke thanks to a partnership between the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Saskatchewan Emergency Medical Services Association
With the support of the Saskatchewan Emergency Medical Services Association (SEMSA), the Heart and Stroke Foundation recently reached out to ambulance operators in the province, encouraging them to place decals on their ambulances that illustrate the FAST signs of stroke. Starting in January, several ambulance services in communities across Saskatchewan will display the FAST messaging to remind people of the stroke signs and the need to act FAST at their first onset. MD Ambulance in Saskatoon was the first to adopt FAST on several of its emergency vehicles this fall.
FAST is a simple and memorable way for people to remember the major signs of stroke, and has been proven to improve stroke outcomes in many countries around the world. It stands for:
“It is absolutely crucial that if you experience or witness any one of these signs, that you call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately,” says Lorie Langenfurth, Heart and Stroke Foundation CEO for Saskatchewan. “Care starts in the ambulance, and calling 9-1-1 will ensure you get to a hospital that provides acute stroke services in the time you need to have the best possible outcome.”
Stroke is the number three killer of Canadians, and is a leading cause of disability. There are an estimated 62,000 strokes in Canada each year – one every nine minutes. More than 80 per cent of individuals who have a stroke and make it to the hospital will survive, with varying degrees of recovery.
“The Saskatchewan Emergency Medical Services Association is proud to be partnering with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to provide this life-saving information,” says Kyle Sereda, SEMSA President. “With our members on the frontline of care, this is a natural partnership for us – and we are confident that by helping to expand the FAST campaign in this way, we will help to increase awareness of the signs of stroke and improve stroke outcomes.”
In addition to this initiative, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has been reaching out to people in Saskatchewan, and across the country, since early spring with a multi-faceted awareness campaign including television, radio, out of home, newspaper and social media.
“We were very pleased at the positive response we received from ambulance services across the province. In the coming weeks, there will now be more than 200 ambulances displaying the FAST signs of stroke,” adds Langenfurth. “Recognizing these signs and acting quickly can mean the difference between life and death, or between a full recovery and lasting disability.”
Please help us share the signs of stroke. Go to: www.heartandstroke.ca/FAST.