Stroke | Agency for Clinical Innovation

Stroke symptoms - "Think…F.A.S.T."

The F.A.S.T. test as an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke:

Face - Check the person’s face. Has their mouth drooped? Does their face look uneven?

Arms - Can the person lift both arms? Do both arms move the same?

Speech - Is the person’s speech slurred? Can you understand what they are saying? Do they understand you?

Time - Is critical. If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away.

NSW Stroke Reperfusion Service
To undertake a two-year project, commencing March 2011, in collaboration with the NSW Ministry of Health and the Ambulance Service of NSW, to identify opportunities for improving stroke thrombolysis services for acute stroke patients.
To address issues relating to early assessment for rehabilitation and access block for stroke patients requiring rehabilitation.
To develop services for interventional stroke therapies to treat ischaemic stroke across metropolitan Sydney.
To participate in the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry to improve clinical practice and evaluate results.
To organise with the Queensland Statewide Stroke Clinical Network the SMART STROKES Conference.

Collaborative education sessions with ACI Cardiac and Endocrine Networks for rural, remote and regional clinicians on diabetes, cardiac and stroke (DICAST) issues, including sessions for rural general practitioners with specialists.
Establishment of 35 stroke services (acute stroke units and stroke services) in NSW public hospitals since 2003.
Audits of more than 5,000 cases have demonstrated improvement in patient outcomes resulting from the specialist stroke units.
Rural education workshops to increase awareness of stroke issues among allied health, ambulance and nursing staff from rural inpatient, outpatient and community services.
Rural education evenings for general practitioners and hospital medical staff.
Participation in the Australian Stroke Coalition’s workforce, training and professional development, response to acute events and access to stroke units and rehabilitation working parties.