MASSDEVICE ON CALL — The app market is now home to the Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T. app, launched by the American Stroke Assn, the American Heart Assn. and the Ad Council.
The app, inspired by Australia’s Think F.A.S.T. stroke identification app, uses the acronym to simplify the steps a user can take to determine whether someone is having a stroke. The app provides information on symptoms, suggests steps the user can take to help identify a stroke and helps find nearby hospitals and connect with emergency services.
As MobiHealthNews reports:
F.A.S.T. stands for the steps a bystander should take to determine whether someone is having a stroke. “F” prompts the bystander to ask the patient to smile, while checking if his or her face droops on one side. “A” reminds the bystander to ask the patient to raise his or her arms and check if one drifts downwards. “S” stands for asking the patient to repeat a simple phrase as the bystander assesses if that person’s speech is slurred or strange sounding. “T” stands for time and reminds the bystander to quickly call 911 if they believe the person they are with is suffering from a stroke.
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