MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) When it comes to stroke care, experts say, “time is brain.” A program launching in South Dakota will coordinate and strengthen stroke care across the state. Nearly 400 South Dakotans died due to stroke in 2022. A new program from the American Heart Association of South Dakota, Mission: Lifeline Stroke Initiative, aims to integrate all components of stroke care into a smooth system that serves all patients quickly and effectively, whether they live in a city or a rural area. Michele Bolles with the national organization says that starts with early stroke identification.

  “Generally, it’s an acronym, FAST. You look at someone’s face, their arms may droop, their speech may be slurred, and ultimately the T stands for time. So time is of the essence.”

The initiative will also refresh E-M-S providers on signs of stroke to kickstart the correct chain reaction for care, including assembling a hospital’s stroke team and connecting patients with high-quality post-acute care. The Lifeline Stroke program has already rolled out in neighboring states including North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Iowa.

More than 90-percent of stroke patients live with a form of disability following their initial stroke, according to the American Heart Association. Walter Panzirer with the Helmsley Charitable Trust, which provided a grant for the initiative, says patients will need different types of post acute care, like physical therapy or speech pathology. The new program will provide certification for certain facilities.

  “It’s basically a gold seal of approval. And so they can guarantee that every facility that meets it has the same standards.”

Panzirer says while some people may have that high-quality care nearby, others may need to travel.