When seconds are crucial, the swift transfer of stroke patients from paramedics to hospital staff is key in providing timely care. Paramedics aim to transport patients quickly, as emphasized by OhioHealth EMS Coordinator Zach Smith, EMT-P: “With large vessel occlusions, for every minute it takes before the vessel gets opened, that equals one week of rehab.”
Paramedics and emergency physicians collaborate to distinguish strokes from other conditions with similar symptoms. Garrett Bassett DO, FACEP, medical director at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital’s Emergency Department, highlighted the importance of accurate diagnosis: “Figuring out if this is a stroke, or one of these other stroke mimics, is very important.”
Once a stroke is confirmed, appropriate treatment can be administered. However, a patient's medication history plays a critical role in determining treatment options. Dr. Bassett explained that blood thinners limit treatment possibilities: “A patient’s medical history is incredibly important.” To assist paramedics in identifying blood thinner usage among patients, Smith provides them with a list of such medications.
Upon arrival at the hospital, patients undergo a CT scan within ten minutes to check for brain bleeding. Depending on their condition and risk factors, they may receive clot-busting medication or be transferred to facilities like Riverside Methodist Hospital for further intervention.
Mansfield Hospital serves as the only Primary Stroke Center in Richland County and nearby areas. However, Dr. Bassett warns that after four and a half hours post-symptom onset, treatment options diminish significantly. He advises immediate medical attention for potential stroke symptoms: “Don't wait to see your doctor,” he urged. “And don’t wait to see if symptoms go away if you haven't.”