Stroke Community Education: A novel approach

Abstract

It is well known that up to 80% of strokes are preventable with appropriate control of modifiable cerebrovascular risk factors, yet stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability globally. The financial burden of stroke is staggering, often leaving patients without the ability to provide for themselves or financially fulfill the basic necessities of their own healthcare. While treatment options for stroke patients have expanded over the last ten years, treatment rates depend on an individual’s ability to recognize stroke symptoms and activate Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Community education that focuses on the prevention and identification of stroke may lead to increased rates of patients treated with thrombolysis, and subsequently lead to decreased disability due to stroke. Additionally, stroke accrediting bodies require stroke certified centers to provide community education, and also require nurses to educate patients on individualized risk factors prior to discharge. Our center started the BE FAST 5K run/1 mile walk which is a novel approach to community education that celebrates survivors, educates the community, educates nurses, and raises money for a stroke patient assistance fund.