Lee Health—the region’s largest public healthcare system—has introduced a transformative new stroke care protocol designed to dramatically reduce the time it takes to diagnose and treat strokes. Now active across all Lee Health hospitals, including nearby Gulf Coast Medical Center, this initiative is a game-changer for communities like Grandezza, where access to rapid emergency care can mean the difference between life and death.
According to Dr. Venkat Prasad, Stroke Program Medical Director at Lee Health, the goal is clear: “Restore blood flow to the brain as fast and safely as possible.” Every minute counts during a stroke, and Lee Health’s new approach is shaving precious seconds off the clock.
WHAT’S CHANGED?
• Early EMS Activation: Emergency responders now alert hospitals before arrival, giving stroke teams time to prep.
• AI-Powered Imaging: Advanced CT technology uses artificial intelligence to detect brain blockages and bleeds faster than ever.
• “Code Stroke” Protocol: Stroke patients bypass standard triage and go straight to imaging with the full stroke team on standby.
• TeleStroke Access: Even smaller Lee Health hospitals are connected to stroke experts via secure video conferencing, ensuring expert care wherever a patient arrives.
• Aggressive New Time Goals: The target is to administer tPA—a clot-busting drug—within 30 minutes of arrival, beating national benchmarks by a wide margin.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR GRANDEZZA
Lee County has one of the state’s highest populations of adults over 65, a group at increased risk for stroke. This cutting-edge protocol ensures that Grandezza residents have swift access to the same level of care as major metropolitan hospitals—even if the stroke happens at home, on the golf course, or while out to dinner.
KNOW THE SIGNS: FAST
Raising awareness is just as vital as treatment. The acronym F.A.S.T. makes it easier to remember stroke symptoms:
• Facial drooping
• Arm weakness
• Slurred speech
• Time to call 911
FAST VS. BE FAST: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
The original F.A.S.T. acronym—Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911—has long been used to help people recognize the most common signs of stroke. It’s simple, memorable, and effective.
However, stroke experts realized that posterior circulation strokes—which affect the back of the brain and can cause balance and vision problems—were often missed. That is why many health systems have adopted the expanded B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym:
• Balance loss or dizziness
• Eyes: sudden vision changes
• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to call 911
While both acronyms are effective at prompting emergency calls, recent research suggests that F.A.S.T. may be easier to remember, especially for the general public. Still, B.E. F.A.S.T. offers a more comprehensive tool for identifying a wider range of stroke symptoms—especially those that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The Engage Estero Health Committee encourages residents to post FAST or BEFAST signage in clubhouses, pools, and other gathering areas to ensure everyone is informed and ready to act.
FINAL THOUGHT By recognizing the signs of stroke and the need to act swiftly, we’re saving lives. Let’s stay alert and informed, right here at home.
