TIME IS BRAIN: ASSESSING EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE WORKERS KNOWLEDGE OF EARLY RECOGNITION OF STROKE AND WARNING SIGNS

Background: A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), has a profound impact on the human brain. Early recognition and successful treatment of strokes not only enhance patients clinical outcomes but also play a crucial role in preventing fatalities. The knowledge of strokes is highly significant for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and nurses. In order to evaluate the level of awareness, this audit was conducted in the Emergency Department (ED) of a prominent tertiary care center in Eastern India. Methodology: This study primarily involved EMS and ED nurses. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of three sections was employed to assess their level of awareness regarding stroke. The questionnaire covered various factors, which were then coded, and a basic analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel. Results: A total of 52 participants, including nurses, EMS personnel, and students took part in the questionnaire-based audit. The mean age of 27.83 years (SD: 7.56), with a notable percentage holding a General Nurse Midwifery (GNM) degree. Around 75% (n: 37) of the participants had received BLS/ACLS training within the past 1-2 years. It was concerning to find that a significant number of nurses and EMS personnel who frequently attended ambulance calls provided incorrect responses to a question regarding the appropriate destination for suspected stroke patients. However, the majority demonstrated good awareness of warning signs, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic procedures related to acute stroke patients. Only a small fraction (one-tenth) of the participants accurately identified the time window for thrombolysis in stroke cases, and few could recognize patients who may require definitive airway intervention. Conclusion: The majority of participants showed insufficient knowledge regarding the appropriate disposition of stroke patients and correctly identifying the window period for thrombolysis. However, they demonstrated a strong understanding of warning signs, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic procedures associated with acute stroke patients.