- WA Telestroke helping treatment teams and improving patient outcomes
- Lifesaving service reducing the risk of disability from stroke
- National Stroke Week is 5-11 August 2024
Western Australia's Telestroke service has hit a timely milestone - delivering 2,000 consults as National Stroke Week rolls out across Australia.
The State's 24/7 Telestroke connects hospitals without on-site stroke specialists to metropolitan stroke specialists who can access brain imaging scans, quickly diagnose the patient and recommend the best treatment path.
When a person has a stroke or TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack), brain cells can die at a rate of 1.9 million a minute.
Rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke is crucial and for people living in outer-metropolitan and regional communities, access to Telestroke can be lifesaving.
Since it began in late 2021, Telestroke has diagnosed and treated more than 1,700 stroke patients through 2,000 consultations across WA.
During National Stroke Week, 5-11 August, it's timely to remind Western Australians of the common signs of stroke. In short, think FAST -
- Face: Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
- Arms: Can they lift both arms?
- Speech: Is their speech slurred?
- Time: Is critical. If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away.
Comments attributed to Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"The Cook Government continues to support the WA Telestroke Service which has been a game changer for patients and health professionals in Western Australia.
"This 24/7 access to acute stroke consultation and advice enables clinicians to achieve better health outcomes for their patients, especially in outer metropolitan, rural and remote communities.
"The faster a stroke is diagnosed, the faster treatment can occur - lowering the risk of permanent brain damage and disability."
