Quick help with stroke: The new Fast Lane system in the Innviertel

Quick help with stroke: The new Fast Lane system in the Innviertel

In Austria, stroke is one of the most common causes of death and a serious threat to health, since it can often result in permanent impairments. Every year there are around 20,000 to 25,000 people affected by a stroke in Austria. The Hospital of the Merciful Sisters Ried, which acts as a priority hospital and has a specialized Stroke Unit, is particularly emphasized here.

A stroke unit is a special department that specializes in the immediate treatment of stroke patients. Expert doctors from various areas such as neurology and cardiology work together to ensure the necessary medical care as quickly as possible.

Pioneering "Fast Lane" project in the Innviertel

In order to accelerate the treatment of stroke patients, an innovative system called "Fast Lane" was introduced in the Innviertel region. This advance notice system was developed in cooperation between the Red Cross and the Hospital of the Merciful Sisters to ensure that all preparations were made when the patients arrived in the hospital.

Based on a conference call between the rescue control center and the specialists of the hospital, comprehensive information about the patient's condition is transmitted. In this way, the hospital can react in advance, which leads to a significant saving.

In the first year after the implementation of the "Fast Lane" project, over 50 percent of the patients who needed acute therapy were announced in advance. This led to a reduction of the average time of 51 minutes until the decisive lysis therapy was initiated to only 26 minutes. This impressive improvement makes the Innviertel a pioneer at a national and international level for quick access to stroke therapy.

"Time is Brain - because two million nerve cells die per Minute," explained Prim. Prof. Dr. Andreas Kampfl, who heads neurology in the hospital. This urgency illustrates how important quick and precise medical measures are in acute cases.

detection and symptoms of a stroke

A stroke can occur suddenly and without warning. The most common symptoms include visual disturbances, language problems, paralysis and severe headaches. In order to act quickly, laypeople can also carry out the so-called fast test to recognize a possible risk of stroke.

• face (face): Does the person allow a smile? A hanging angle of mouth could indicate half -side paralysis.
• Arms (arms): Can the person raise both arms? A falling arm indicates paralysis.
• speech (language): Can the person repeat a simple sentence? Splashed speaking can indicate language disorders.
• time (time): If symptoms are recognized, the emergency call 144 should be selected immediately.

As soon as the emergency call is triggered, rescue teams are in use immediately and the preparations in the hospital begin before the patient arrives. This maximizes the efficiency and minimizes the time loss in treatment.

The diagnosis and treatment planning takes place immediately after the patient arrives. The doctors carry out a clinical examination and decide in relation to the right therapy, which is different depending on the stroke type - whether the therapy concerns a blood clot or surgical intervention is necessary for bleeding.

The “Fast Lane” project is not only valued in Ried, but could soon also be extended to other hospital locations in Upper Austria. "We hope that other facilities can also benefit from our success and thus improve the entire patient care in the country," said Mag. Johann Minihuber, Managing Director of the Clinic.

In order to minimize the risk of a stroke, preventive strategies must also be pursued in addition to the acute measures. A healthy lifestyle, such as non -smoking, regular physical activity and a balanced diet, can dramatically reduce the risk of stroke.

Overall, the progress that was made by the pilot project in the Innviertel is a big step in stroke treatment. Fast reactions and cheerful interdisciplinary cooperation are key to improved patient care, which can increase the quality of life of those affected. For further information on this topic, a look at innviertelaktuell.at .