FAST (stroke) FAST (stroke) FAST is an acronym used as a mnemonic to help detect and enhance responsiveness to the needs of a person having a stroke. The acronym stands for Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Time to call emergency services. The FAST was developed in the UK in 1998 by a group of stroke physicians, ambulance personnel, and an emergency department physician and was designed to be an integral part of a training package for ambulance staff. The FAST was created to expedite administration of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator to patients within 3 hours of acute stroke symptom onset.
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians is a US certification agency covering prehospital medical providers. NREMT was established in 1970 in response to a recommendation from President Lyndon Johnson's Committee on Highway Traffic Safety that a national certifying agency for Emergency Medical Technicians be created in order to establish and standardize training requirements. Most states use or require NREMT testing for some level of state certification. NREMT recognizes four levels of EMS: EMR, EMT, EMT-Advanced, and Paramedic (some states may have additional certifications). NREMT certification at an EMT Intermediate level may or may