The early warning signs of stroke can be remembered via the acronym FAST: Face, Arm, Speech and Time.
Getting to hospital as quickly as possible is vital when faced with a potential stroke, and will help improve the prospect of recovery.
Together with our charity extension The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Stroke (formerly Stroke SA), we are dedicated to providing world-leading research, care and services to improve the acute treatment, recovery and prevention of stroke.
Associate Professor Tim Kleinig answers your vital questions about stroke
Stroke Support
Providing occupational therapy, counselling, wellbeing services, support groups and advice for people affected by stroke and their families.
This also includes exercise and physical movement, access to a specialised nurse consultant, support for your emotional wellbeing and relationships, speech pathology, help in accessing NDIS and more.
Operating a specialised exercise physiology service in Adelaide called the Brain x Body Fitness Studio, which focuses on improving body and brain health through exercise that encourages neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to grow and change in response to physical and mental activities throughout life. By consistently challenging the brain with exercise and fresh mental activities, the brain continues to restructure, rewire and build new connections.
Running social activities like singing, arts and writing groups to encourage wellbeing, social contact and peer support.
We are committed to helping people impacted by stroke live their best life.
Offering stroke patients which present to the Royal Adelaide Hospital the opportunity to participate in world-leading clinical trials which focus on stroke treatment in the emergency stage, the care immediately after stroke and secondary prevention.
Who it benefits
Roslyne Harkness had a life-threatening stroke but made a full recovery thanks to this trial! She can now enjoy precious time with her grandchildren.
Investigating what causes Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIA), or mini strokes, with the hope of developing a diagnostic test for TIAs in order to administer the appropriate treatments and prevent future strokes.
Professor Anne Hamilton-Bruce is leading this important research. Up to 20% of high-risk TIA cases suffer a stroke in the next month.
Establishing a new student-led physiotherapy clinic for people needing more intensive arm therapy once hospital-based rehabilitation has finished.
Dr Brenton Hordacre, Physiotherapist and Senior Lecturer at the University of South Australia, is leading the clinic to help stroke patients improve and restore their arm movements.
Implementing new “Screen, Clean, Hydrate” protocols in Lyell McEwin Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre to help address dysphagia (impaired swallowing) and other adverse outcomes. Dr Joanne Murray says this approach aims to ensure:
1. Swallow screening is conducted within four hours of admission to prevent adverse consequences of choking or aspiration pneumonia
2. Best practice oral healthcare is implemented to reduce pathogenic oral bacteria and risk of respiratory infection
3. Hydration is prioritised to prevent electrolyte imbalance which can heighten the risk of infection, falls, cognitive impairment and impact recovery.
A detailed, educational video has been created for regional clinicians and SA Ambulance officers to better identify the symptoms of stroke, as getting treatment quickly is a critical factor in the survival and recovery from stroke.
The video has been tailored to meet the unique needs of regional clinicians and was informed by neurology and stroke experts from SA Health’s SA Telestroke service, which provides virtual 24-7 stroke advice and support across all regional South Australian hospitals and to patients and clinicians.
Running a promising trial which tests Botox therapy on stroke patients with lower limb spasticity.
Researcher
Associate Professor Anupam Gupta has also helped make Botox therapy more accessible by lobbying to secure it on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
