Did you know that every 2 minutes, there is one Thai person who suffers from ischemic, occlusive, or hemorrhagic stroke, known as Stroke (Stroke)? And when the patient starts showing symptoms, every 1 minute that passes, more than 2 million brain cells are destroyed.
When a large number of brain cells are damaged or die, it causes hemiparesis or paralysis. The body loses control, which greatly affects the quality of life for both the patient and their family. If the symptoms are severe, it can also lead to death.
Therefore, if anyone shows warning signs of ischemic stroke, they should immediately call the Mobile CT & Stroke Treatment Unit to receive the fastest possible treatment and avoid critical conditions in time.
Symptoms Indicative of Stroke
We should all know how to recognize symptoms indicative of ischemic stroke, which can be remembered easily by the acronym BE…FAST. The meaning of each letter is as follows:
- B stands for Balance: experiencing loss of body balance, such as unsteady walking.
- E stands for Eye: sudden blurred vision, darkened vision, or abnormal visual field.
- F stands for Face: facial drooping, crooked mouth, or drooping corner of the mouth.
- A stands for Arm: numbness, weakness, inability to raise the arm, or difficulty walking.
- S stands for Speech: difficulty speaking, slurred speech, inability to speak, inability to communicate or answer simple questions.
- T stands for Time: if any of these symptoms occur, immediately call the Mobile CT & Stroke Treatment Unit ambulance or rush to the hospital urgently.
Mobile CT & Stroke Treatment Unit Ambulance: Unique Features
Doctors accompany the emergency ambulance and are ready to provide treatment by analyzing test results using various equipment inside the vehicle. A specialized medical team based at the hospital supports diagnosis and treatment monitoring through computer and internet communication systems. This special emergency vehicle is designed and equipped with necessary tools for immediate ischemic stroke treatment, such as:
- Equipped with a mobile brain and cerebral blood vessel CT scanner inside the vehicle.
- Has a mobile laboratory capable of analyzing blood tests necessary for stroke treatment immediately.
- Contains essential medications and medical supplies for stroke treatment, especially intravenous thrombolytic drugs.
- Equipped with communication tools via the internet and video conferencing (Telemedicine equipment) with the hospital-based medical team.
Therefore, patients receive rapid examination, diagnosis, and treatment from the moment the ambulance arrives. At the same time, the ambulance transports the patient back to the hospital, where a specialized stroke treatment team is ready to continue care immediately, ensuring the fastest and highest standard of treatment.
Telemedicine Enhances Treatment Efficiency
When the ambulance arrives at the patient’s home or location, the emergency medical team immediately examines the patient, performs brain imaging with the CT scanner installed in the vehicle, quickly analyzes blood results with the mobile laboratory, sends brain images via the internet, and conducts video conferences to consider thrombolytic drug administration with experienced neurologists who specialize in remote stroke treatment. This ensures effective and safe treatment that meets standards.
Brain Vessel Imaging with CT Angiography (CTA brain)
In cases of large vessel occlusion stroke, doctors will order brain vessel imaging with CT angiography (CTA brain) for accurate diagnosis. Importantly, while the ambulance transports the patient back to the hospital, communication is maintained to prepare the hospital team for clot retrieval treatment using special devices, which helps the patient receive clot removal as quickly as possible upon arrival. The surgical team is also prepared in case urgent surgery is needed.
The most important aspect of ischemic stroke treatment is diagnosing the location of the cerebral artery blockage or damage, the size of the lesion, and the time of symptom onset, as this is essential for selecting the appropriate treatment method. Therefore, patients or their relatives should be able to report the exact time symptoms began and bring the patient to the doctor as quickly as possible. Calling the Mobile CT & Stroke Treatment Unit ambulance at 1772 press 7 is a shortcut for patients to receive rapid treatment, which benefits the patient in every way.
