Thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke: a simulation study to improve pre- and in-hospital delays in community hospitals.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Various studies demonstrate better patient outcome and higher thrombolysis rates achieved by centralized stroke care compared to decentralized care, i.e. community hospitals. It remains largely unclear how to improve thrombolysis rate in decentralized care. The aim of this simulation study was to assess the impact of previously identified success factors in a central model on thrombolysis rates and patient outcome when implemented for a decentral model.

Methods

Based on a prospectively collected dataset of 1084 ischemic stroke patients, simulation was used to replicate current practice and estimate the effect of re-organizing decentralized stroke care to resemble a centralized model. Factors simulated included symptom onset call to help, emergency medical services

SUBMITTER: Lahr MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3832502 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature