Time Lost is Brain Lost

The Quicker Response to a Possible Stroke, the Better the Outcome

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of disability. It affects men and women of all ages and of every ethnic group. Yet sadly, many in the general public still don’t know the signs and symptoms of stroke.

Leadership OKC recently toured the James R. Daniel Stroke Center at INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center. Using a “mock” patient, the facility’s stroke team walked the group through an entire stroke scenario. They physically demonstrated and gave a detailed explanation of everything from the moment the patient enters the ER, to the time the clot-busting drug is administered. 

“The National Institute of Health recommends that within 59 minutes of walking through the door, a patient should be receiving the drug,” says Dr. Charles Morgan, medical director of the INTEGRIS James R. Daniel Stroke Center. “That involves a CT scan and determining we’re really dealing with a stroke and not something that just mimics one.” Dr. Morgan says a lot has to be done in a short amount of time, so speed is of the essence. “That’s what we want people from Miami to Altus and from the Panhandle to McCurtain County to know,” says Morgan. “If you’re having a stroke call 911, get to the hospital as fast as you can and receive the drug that could save your life.”

The idea behind the interactive exercise was to better educate many of the business and professional leaders in the community. Dr. Morgan hopes they will take what they learned from the tour and become “apostles” to their respective groups. “We need to get the word out that stroke is treatable if you get there in time.” 

Loren Calloway is a member of Leadership OKC. He was impressed with how quickly the stroke team carried out the assessment and treatment process. “I think this is important information to share with all the organizations Leadership OKC represents, because a lot of people don’t recognize that even just a few minutes really makes a difference,” he says.

Jeffri-Lynn Dyer couldn’t agree more. “I didn’t realize we had such a state-of-the-art system in place to take care of all of this and actually return people to normal function. I didn’t know that was possible.” She says since the tour, she thinks of stroke much differently. “I’ve always been afraid of stroke, but now I know there is hope.”

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke: FAST

F is for FACE        = Facial weakness, drooping of one side of the face

A is for ARM          = Drifting down of one arm

S is for SPEECH   = Slurred or unintelligible speech

T is for TIME         = Time to call 911; act FAST

The Most Significant Risk Factor YOU Can Control and Prevent is …

High Blood Pressure.