Hoan Hao General Hospital Enhances Health Education for Patients

To improve healthcare knowledge and help patients proactively prevent serious diseases, Hoan Hao General Hospital regularly organizes the Patient Council Meeting combined with health education programs.

During this session, patients and their family members attended the health education topic "Stroke Recognition and Prevention," presented by Dr. Nguyen Tai Phuong, Specialist Level I, Head of the Emergency Department, Hoan Hao General Hospital.

In addition to providing practical medical knowledge, the program also served as an opportunity for the hospital to receive feedback and suggestions from patients, thereby continuously improving the quality of medical services and patient care.

Stroke – A Medical Emergency That Requires Early Recognition

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted due to either a blocked blood vessel or a ruptured blood vessel, causing brain cells to become damaged and die within minutes if emergency treatment is not provided promptly.

According to Dr. Nguyen Tai Phuong, Specialist Level I, every minute of delay in treatment may result in the loss of approximately two million brain cells. This significantly increases the risk of death or severe long-term complications such as paralysis, speech impairment, memory loss, and the inability to perform daily self-care activities.

The F.A.S.T Rule Helps Recognize Stroke Early

One of the key topics presented during the program was the F.A.S.T rule, a simple method that enables everyone to recognize the warning signs of stroke.

- F (Face) refers to facial drooping, an uneven smile, or a crooked face.
- A (Arm) refers to weakness or numbness in one arm or one leg, making it difficult for the patient to raise both arms normally.
- S (Speech) refers to slurred speech, difficulty speaking, unclear speech, or difficulty understanding others.
- T (Time) emphasizes the importance of time. If even one of these warning signs is present, call emergency services immediately and remember the time when the symptoms first appeared so that doctors can determine the most appropriate treatment.

The Golden Time Determines the Chance of Recovery

According to the doctor, the sooner a patient arrives at the hospital, the greater the chance of successful treatment.

- Within the first 3 to 6 hours after symptom onset, patients have a greater opportunity to receive effective treatment and achieve better recovery.
- From 6 to 24 hours after symptom onset, some patients may still be eligible for advanced treatment depending on their clinical condition.
- After 24 hours, the risk of extensive brain damage increases significantly, reducing the likelihood of recovery and increasing the risk of permanent disability or death.

Therefore, people should never wait for the symptoms to disappear on their own or attempt self-treatment at home when a stroke is suspected.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Someone Is Having a Stroke?

When someone shows signs of a stroke, remain calm, call emergency services immediately, place the patient in a well-ventilated area, loosen tight clothing, and turn the patient's head to one side if vomiting occurs to prevent choking.

At the same time, do not perform coin rubbing, traditional wind scraping, acupuncture, finger-pricking, or give the patient medicine, water, or lemon juice by mouth, as these actions may delay emergency treatment and endanger the patient's life.

Prevent Stroke Through Healthy Daily Habits

Stroke can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking regular care of your health.

Regular blood pressure monitoring, adhering to treatment for hypertension, reducing salt intake, limiting fatty foods, eating more vegetables and fruits, exercising for at least 30 minutes each day, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and undergoing regular health check-ups can significantly reduce the risk of stroke.

The doctor also emphasized that stroke is no longer a disease affecting only older adults. Young people who frequently stay up late, experience prolonged stress, smoke, abuse alcohol, or lead a sedentary lifestyle are also facing an increasing risk of stroke.

Listening to Patients to Improve the Quality of Care

In addition to providing health education, the Patient Council Meeting also gives Hoan Hao General Hospital an opportunity to receive suggestions, answer questions from patients and their families, and continuously improve service quality and the patient experience.

Through these regular sessions, the hospital aims to share accurate medical knowledge with the community, helping people take better care of their own health and that of their families.