Studies have found that Physicians and prehospital personnel have similar accuracy when performing the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale. (CPSS) or the Face Arm Speech Test (FAST) are suggested for use by prehospital personnel because they are easy to learn and rapidly administered. The scale focuses on the assessment of facial paresis, arm drift, and abnormal speech
- F = facial droop
- A = arm weakness
- S = speech difficulty
- T = time to call 911
With even one finding positive (face, arm or speech) the chance of the patient having a stroke is greatly increased.
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