FAST Phil Bainbridge – Clinical Manager Yorkshire Ambulance Service

1. FAST Phil Bainbridge – Clinical Manager Yorkshire Ambulance Service

2. FAST

3. FAST - UK

4. FAST • All paramedics and Emergency Care Practitioner and Technicians are taught to complete a FAST test. • We have also taught all our non clinical staff who have patient contact – CFR, PTS • This is part of a set of observations for completion of the Clinical Performance Indicator. • BM and BP & Time of onset being the other elements

5. Non FAST Strokes • There are Stroke patients that are deemed to be FAST test negative • All their symptoms have recovered – therefore treat as TIA • Patient may have sudden loss of vision • Problems with balance or co-ordination • Dizziness • Sudden severe headache • Blacked out

6. Pitfalls of FAST • It gives only a snapshot to determine neurological deficiency • Requires an understanding of any previous deficit • Does not determine it is definitely a Stroke • It requires the patient to be conscious • It requires the patient to have sufficient capacity to understand

7. When would we not provide rapid Transport to HASU • Ambulance pre-alert ED’s for the patient to be seen there. • Where symptoms have recovered the patient would be treated as TIA, and transported to ED.

9. FAST Questions