Cincinnati Stroke Screen Clinical Indications: Suspected Stroke Patient • Procedure: 1. Assess and treat suspected stroke patients as per protocol. 2. Use Cincinnati stroke test scale to evaluate three major physical findings to identify a stroke patient who requires rapid transport to the hospital. 3. If possible, prehospital care providers should establish the time of onset of stroke signs and symptoms. Stroke test 1. Facial droop Have patient show their teeth or smile. – a. Normal Both sides of face move equally – b. Abnormal One side of the face does not move as well as the other. – 2. Arm drift the patient closes their eyes and holds both arms out. – a. Normal Both arms move the same direction or do not move at all – (pronator grip may be helpful). b. Abnormal One arm does not move or one arm drifts down compared to – the other. 3. Speech Have the patient say can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. – “you a. Normal the patient uses the correct words with no slurring – b. Abnormal The patient slurs their words, uses inappropriate words or is – unable to speak. 4. Time Try to determine exact time of onset of symptoms. – Report specific findings for example: left side facial drooping, slurred speech.
Cincinnati Stroke Screen Clinical Indications: • Suspected Stroke Patient Procedure: 1. Assess and treat suspected stroke patients as per protocol. 2. Use Cincinnati stroke test scale to evaluate three major physical findings to identify a stroke patient who requires rapid transport to the hospital. 3. If possible, prehospital care providers should establish the time of onset of stroke signs and symptoms. Stroke test 1. Facial droop – Have patient show their teeth or smile. a. Normal – Both sides of face move equally b. Abnormal – One side of the face does not move as well as the other. 2. Arm drift – the patient closes their eyes and holds both arms out. a. Normal – Both arms move the same direction or do not move at all (pronator grip may be helpful). b. Abnormal – One arm does not move or one arm drifts down compared to the other. 3. Speech – Have the patient say “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. a. Normal – the patient uses the correct words with no slurring b. Abnormal – The patient slurs their words, uses inappropriate words or is unable to speak. 4. Time – Try to determine exact time of onset of symptoms. Report specific findings for example: left side facial drooping, slurred speech.