IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT STROKES

My husband, Jim, had a mini stroke on Monday morning.  He had trouble seeing and speaking for a very brief period of time.  I checked on the web, and these were two definate stroke symptoms.  I decided it would be quicker if I drove him to the hospital. He was lucky.  He regained his ability to see and speak quickly, passed all of his tests, and they kept him in the hospital for one night and checked his neck artieries the next morning, and he was discharged. Our daughter, who is a Dr., said I should have called 911, because they could treat him on the way and notify the hospital that a stroke patient was coming, and to have the proper medication that could reverse a stroke if given within 3 hours.
I contacted Bob Pudney (rpudney@beechmountainvfd.org), who is our Fire Chief, and this was his answer:
"Yes, your daughter is correct. In addition to our ability to notify the Hospital of a potential "stroke alert" during transport, we have the ability to provide definitive care during the transport.  In the event your husband suffered additional symptoms, (some can be life threatening) during your ride to the Hospital, medical care would have been delayed.  We also have the ability to fly a patient off the mountain via helicopter in the event medical care is determined to be necessary at a Stroke or Trauma center not at the local facilities.
I hope your husband is feeling better, we stand ready and willing to assist in any way possible, please do not hesitate to call 911."
I'm sure Chief Pudney would welcome any of your questions.
Nancy Raymond