Abstract
Background: As a rural stroke program in an aging community, we learned that more of our community members were choosing to drive to the hospital rather than utilizing EMS services when experiencing stroke symptoms. In collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Health we aimed to increase stroke awareness in our community, thus increasing EMS arrivals of patients with stroke symptoms. Methods: From June 2016 to June 2017, we participated in multiple community events. These included personal interaction with stroke-specific materials at three separate wellness events. We designed listener-specific radio PSA’s reaching over 30,000 listeners/hour on 6 local stations. We sent direct mailings via a postcard with a detachable magnet to 16,796 households. This highlighted stroke signs/symptoms, treatment options, and the importance of calling 9-1-1. We provided a stroke specific table service dinner with a presentation that was booked at max occupancy. Lastly, we utilized a “Mega-Brain” inflatable at an event with over 400 attendees and distributed stroke awareness materials. Results: Prior to the campaign from October 2015- June 2016 there were 140 stroke alerts (50%EMS vs 50% private vehicle, 25% stroke treated). The median last known well to arrival time was 121 [0,5760] minutes. During active participation from July 2016-June 2017, there were 151 stroke alerts (53% EMS vs 47% private vehicle arrivals, 21% strokes treated). The median last known well to arrival time was 115 [0,4320] minutes. At the conclusion from July 2017 – March 2018 there were 152 stroke alerts (53% EMS vs 47% private vehicle arrivals, 24% strokes treated). The median last known well to arrival time was 108 [1,10080] minutes. Conclusion: By identifying an educational gap and providing educational opportunities to the community, we experienced an increase in EMS activations for stroke symptoms as well as an unexpected increase in treated stroke cases. Educating the community on recognition of potential stroke symptoms, seeking early treatment, and utilization of EMS was an effective intervention in our service area. Continued community education is likely an important component of reducing death and disability from stroke by increasing early recognition and treatment of symptoms.
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