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HOUGHTON – Every second counts when someone is suffering from a stroke. Being able to identify the warning signs and symptoms right away can help make a difference and save a life.
That’s the message more than a dozen Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital nurses and staff shared with local residents while handing out “ACT FAST” stroke awareness magnets at grocery stores in Houghton, Calumet and Lake Linden recently. An additional 1,500 magnets were distributed to local schools for students in grades 9 through 12.
Aspirus Keweenaw is collaborating with Mercy EMS as a public service to provide important information to the community about the early signs of stroke. Leading the efforts at Aspirus Keweenaw is Emergency Department and ICU Director Louise Kauppinen. She said nursing staff are working to help people understand how to “ACT FAST” if they see the signs of stroke. “‘ACT FAST’ awareness is important for a wide range of ages, especially youth who are old enough to understand the signs and call 911 right away,” said Kauppinen. “Kids and adults alike have made a difference for their parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and neighbors.”
The acronym FAST appears on each magnet and stands for: face (look for an uneven smile), arm (check if one arm is weak), speech (listen for slurred speech) and time (call 9-1-1 right away).
“They’re a great teaching tool for all ages because they provide step-by-step information and illustrations referencing stroke warning signs and how to act fast,” said Registered Nurse Angie Piche, Manager of Employee Health for Aspirus Keweenaw. “We encouraged adults to share the information with the young people in their lives because this information can help save a life.”
According to the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department’s 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment, more than 4 percent of deaths in the local community result from stroke each year. Many others suffer a form of stroke that debilitates them from normal daily living. Nationally, there has been an increase in the amount of strokes suffered by people as young as 40 years old.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Aspirus Keweenaw nurses and staff distribute magnets at local
grocery stores to educate the community about the warning signs
of stroke. Top left: Jan List, Sheila Perreault, and customer, Mike
Aubin. Top right: Becky Bean, right, and her daughter, Annalise.
Above right: Nichole McKloskey, Mandy Shelast and a young
resident. Above left: Angie Piche and customer Tom Hobmeier.
