BE FAST – stroke is an emergency!

Johannesburg - The World Stroke Organisation (WSO) Angels Initiative recently recognised Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital’s excellence in stroke care with its third consecutive international Diamond Award.

“Stroke treatment is time sensitive and relies on public awareness and recognition of stroke as a medical emergency,” says Dr Charl Carstens, who practices at the emergency department at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital.

According to the WSO Angels Initiative, worldwide every half hour, a person who suffers a stroke and could have been saved either passes away or suffers lifechanging brain injury because they were not treated in a hospital that follows the internationally recognised criteria in stroke management.

“Stroke usually happens without warning, and we encourage everyone to regularly monitor their cholesterol and blood pressure as part of their routine health checks. We also need families and individuals to be aware of what the signs of stroke look like and what to do in this emergency situation. It is easy to remember with the acronym BE FAST.”

B is for Balance: difficulty in maintaining balance

E is for Eyes: changes in vision

F is for Face drooping

A is for Arm weakness

S is for Speech: difficulty talking

T is for Time to get help immediately – every second counts.

“If any of the above symptoms of stroke are noticed, it is important to get the person appropriate medical attention as soon as possible,” Dr Carstens says.

Hospitals recognised by WSO Angels Initiative, such as Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital, are validated as equipped to provide the full spectrum of diagnostic services for the identification and treatment of stroke 24 hours a day according to the strict protocols required by the European Stroke Organisation Enhancing and Accelerating Stroke Treatment (ESO East) and WSO.

The Diamond WSO Angels award acknowledges hospitals that meet the top requirements of WSO stroke criteria, focusing on optimal patient outcomes.

“To qualify for the awards, hospitals must register with and submit data to the RES-Q quality of stroke care registry, which allows for international benchmarking and continuous monitoring to ensure consistency of quality stroke care,” adds Claudette Lotz, unit manager of Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital’s emergency department.

In 2023, the hospital earned its first Gold WSO Angels award before exceeding this to achieve Platinum status. Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital achieved the top WSO Angels Diamond status for the first time in May 2024 for the first quarter and has maintained this highest level in stroke management recognition for the second and third quarters.

“We congratulate the emergency department doctors and nursing staff on their phenomenal work in ensuring our stroke treatment protocols are aligned with international best practice, which is invaluable for the community we serve. Our special thanks to Dr Carstens and Sr Lotz, and WSO Angels and Netcare emergency and trauma division for their leadership in improving stroke out outcomes through evidence based and data driven person centred care,” concludes Alan Abrahams, general manager of Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital.