Bringing the hospital to the patient: first treatment of stroke patients at the emergency site.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early treatment with rt-PA is critical for favorable outcome of acute stroke. However, only a very small proportion of stroke patients receive this treatment, as most arrive at hospital too late to be eligible for rt-PA therapy.

Methods and findings

We developed a "Mobile Stroke Unit", consisting of an ambulance equipped with computed tomography, a point-of-care laboratory system for complete stroke laboratory work-up, and telemedicine capabilities for contact with hospital experts, to achieve delivery of etiology-specific and guideline-adherent stroke treatment at the site of the emergency, well before arrival at the hospital. In a departure from current practice, stroke patients could be differentially treated according to their ischemic or hemorrhagic etiology

SUBMITTER: Walter S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2966432 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature