Faulkner Hospital- General & Visitor Information Directory

General & Visitor Information Primary Stroke Service at Faulkner Hospital

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in America. In Massachusetts, 17,799 people were hospitalized with stroke symptoms and 3,557 people died as a result of a stroke in 2002.

In order to improve the care that acute stroke patients receive, and to increase the likelihood that they receive prompt access to definitive care, The Department of Public Health has designated select hospitals as Primary Stroke Services. Faulkner Hospital is one of the facilities that has recently been given this designation. This title requires that the hospital follow very specific stroke protocols for patient assessment and care as well as commit to continually educating the public about the warning signs and symptoms of stroke.

As a Primary Stroke Service facility, Faulkner Hospital provides emergency diagnostic and therapeutic services by a multidisciplinary team 24 hours a day, seven days a week to patients presenting with symptoms of acute stroke.

Though about 600,000 new strokes are reported in the U.S. each year, the good news is that treatments are available that can greatly reduce the damage caused by stroke. However, you need to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and get to a hospital quickly. Getting treatment within 60 minutes can prevent disability. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. When a stroke occurs, brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. It is important to be aware of stroke symptoms, which include:

	Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
	Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
	Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
	Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
	Sudden severe headache with no known cause

If you believe someone is having a stroke - if he or she suddenly loses the ability to speak, or move an arm or leg on one side, or experiences facial paralysis on one side - call 911 immediately.

On-line Stroke Knowledge Survey
Please participate in an on-line survey to help determine our community's knowledge of stroke. You will help to focus education efforts and you may even gain information that will help to save a life.

Once at the site, follow the directions below to get to the survey and stroke education information:

Step 1:	click-->	"User Login"
Step 2:	click-->	"Click Here to Take Assessment"
Step 3:	type-->	User Login: stroke survey
	type-->	User Password: stroke
	click-->	"Submit"
Step 4:	click->	"Click to Begin Assessment"
Step 5:		Answer survey questions

After the survey you will be directed to look at "Topics for Personal Growth" which will give you information about stroke, signs and symptoms, prevention and resources.

For more educational information on stroke, please e-mail: stroke@faulknerhospital.org

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