STROKE CENTER

The Stroke Program at Decatur General received the Alabama Quality Assurance Foundation's Stroke Best Practice Award in 2001. The goal of the Center is to educate the public about the seriousness of a stroke and the importance of calling 911. The time frame to have the best outcome is treatment within three hours from the onset of a stroke. If the patient comes in before this time, our Stroke Center has a streamlined plan in place to help the patient have the best outcome possible.

Take the symptoms of stroke seriously. Call 911 if you experience the following:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, leg (especially on one side)
• Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache with no known cause

A stroke is a medical emergency, and by getting help quickly, you can dramatically improve your chance of preventing paralysis, speech impairment and mental disorientation.