BE-FASTER! 1.0.7

This application, developed by United Stroke Alliance (www.unitedstrokealliance.org) and created by a member of its Advisory Board, serves as a practical tool for stroke symptom recognition. The registered trademark BE-FASTER! (@2020, United Stroke Alliance), prominently displayed on the app's icon and opening screen, indicates the organization's ownership.

The primary goal of this app is to offer non-medically trained individuals, including children, an accessible and efficient method to identify the classic signs of stroke. It highlights the five most conspicuous symptoms, which align with guidelines from the American Stroke Association (www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms).

Each symptom featured on the main interface functions as a button that provides detailed explanations upon interaction. The app emphasizes the importance of prompt action—calling emergency services—especially if multiple symptoms are observed. Rapid response is critical in such instances to improve patient outcomes.

The symptom descriptions and elaborations were developed with input from medical professionals associated with United Stroke Alliance and the stroke staff at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois.

As a non-profit organization dedicated to stroke education, United Stroke Alliance focuses on prevention, awareness, and recovery support for survivors, caregivers, and families. The app aims to contribute significantly to these efforts by enhancing public understanding of stroke symptoms and promoting immediate action.

The organization operates through several initiatives:

• Youth Education On Stroke (YES) — This application complements our curriculum for teaching fifth-grade students about stroke signs using the BE-FASTER! acronym. Educators, including teachers and nurses, utilize this program to instill awareness and encourage early response among youth. Currently, approximately 1,000 Illinois students benefit annually from this initiative. There have been notable instances where students have recognized stroke symptoms in family members after participating in the program.
• Strike Out Stroke™ (SOS) — This app aims to increase nationwide stroke awareness through outreach at Major and Minor League Baseball games.
• Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp (RRSC) — Integrated into this program is an app that supports our mission of improving quality of life for stroke survivors and their families through weekend retreats featuring activities such as group discussions, speakers, music, therapeutic activities, and recreational pursuits intended to stimulate physical and mental engagement.

Public awareness of stroke symptoms remains inadequate in many parts of the United States. According to Monroe Clinic (www.monroeclinic.org), a national survey commissioned by Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center found that 75 percent of respondents under age 45 either lack knowledge of or underestimate the signs of a stroke. This knowledge gap can delay critical treatment and worsen recovery prospects. The deployment of this app is aimed at bridging that gap.

References:

• https://www.monroeclinic.org/didyouknow/75-americans-under-age-45-dont-know-signs-stroke
• https://www.geisinger.org/health-and-wellness/wellness-articles/2017/03/23/13/33/most-americans-dont-know-the-signs-of-a-stroke-do-you