Which acronym helps EMDs recognize signs of a stroke?

The acronym that helps Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) recognize signs of a stroke is FAST. This acronym stands for "Face drooping," "Arm weakness," "Speech difficulties," and "Time to call emergency services." Each component of FAST is critical for quickly identifying a stroke, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.

Recognizing the signs of a stroke promptly can lead to timely medical treatment, significantly improving the patient's outcome. The components guide the dispatcher in assessing the patient's condition over the phone. For instance, observing facial drooping can indicate weakness on one side, arm weakness refers to the inability to lift both arms equally, speech difficulties can manifest as slurred or incoherent speech, and emphasizing that it is time to call emergency services highlights the urgency of the situation.

Other acronyms like HELP, NEED, and SAFE do not specifically address the signs and symptoms of a stroke, making them less relevant in this context. The specificity of FAST is what makes it the preferred acronym for stroke recognition in emergency medical dispatch.