BE FAST
What does the acronym BE FAST stand for
Balance
Eyes
Face
Arm
Speech
Time
Who can call a LVO alert
Any clinical staff members: RNs, RTs, PT/OT/SLP, CNAs etc.
If your patient has arm weakness + aphasia, neglect or field cut (VAN positive exam) and is 4.5 to 24 hours from LKW you CAN CALL THE LVO ALERT!
WOOHOO!
True or False: All ED RNs are required to be VAN certified.
TRUE!
The goal of a stroke alert is....
To determine if someone is a treatment candidate for a stroke syndrome
Confusion is part of the BE FAST exam
No. AMS and confusion are not a BE FAST symptom.
My patient has BE FAST symptoms, is NOT VAN positive, LKW is 6 hours ago. Is this a stoke alert?
NO. Stroke alerts are BE FAST positive with LKW < 4.5 hours.
How long is my VAN certification good for?
Forever! Yay!
Patient from intake as a red patient, assessment = arm, leg and facial weakness and aphasia, LKW 7 hours ago. What stroke alert would you call?
LVO Alert!
True or False: A positive BE FAST exam can be positive or one symptom or many of the symtoms.
True! Stroke symptoms can be singular or a patient could have several at once.
Patient is confused and family reports AMS onset 3 hours ago. Should I stroke alert this patient?
No. Confusion and AMS are not a BE FAST symptom. IF they also have a BE FAST symptom call a stroke alert.
August 15th is the deadline for?
Pt has right arm numbness, LKW 2.5 hours ago, do I call a stroke alert?
Yes! It is a BE FAST symptom and < 4.5 hours from LKW.
Dizziness is part of the BE FAST exam?
YES! Sudden changes to B - Balance includes sudden onset dizziness
The ED Stroke alert criteria is....
BE FAST symptom sudden onset LKW < 4.5 hours
What is the criteria for a VAN + exam
Visual field cut
Aphasia
Neglect
LKW 5 hours ago, VAN positive exam, what stroke alert (if any) should I call and what treatments could they be eligible for?
LVO Alert! Thrombectomy. They are outside of the TNK window.
Numbness is part of the BE FAST exam?
Yes! A - ARM can be an arm/leg is weak and/or numb
LVO Stroke alert criteria is...
Arm weakness with aphasia, neglect or field cut LKW 4.5 to 24 hours.
VAN stands for what?
Vision
Aphasia
Neglect
LKW 2200 at bedtime, woke up at 0600, arrived in ED at 0700 - they have a BE FAST positive exam. Is this a stroke alert?
Yes! Call a stroke alert, patient woke with symptoms and arrived at the hospital within 4.5 hours.