Prehospital Stroke Care and Regionalized Stroke Systems

doi:10.1017/9781316286234.004

Chapter 3 - Prehospital Stroke Care and Regionalized Stroke Systems

from Part II - Systems of Care

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 December 2020

Kori Sauser Zachrison and

Lee H. Schwamm

Edited by

Jeffrey L. Saver and

Graeme J. Hankey

Show author details

Jeffrey L. Saver: Affiliation:
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of Ca
Graeme J. Hankey: Affiliation:
University of Western Australia, Perth

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Summary

Prehospital stroke care is the first link in the stroke chain of survival and includes symptom recognition, engagement of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, timely and effective dispatcher response, and emergency medical response. Prehospital stroke screening tools are an important component in guiding the EMS response to stroke and proper triage of patients. Additionally, there is a growing body of research focused on applications for telemedicine, mobile stroke units, and diagnostic testing in the prehospital arena. Prehospital stroke care is integral to the organization of regionalized stroke systems. Implementation of stroke systems of care can lead to improved access to specialty services and improved patient health outcomes. In addition to increasing access to acute stroke care, telestroke shows great potential for integrating stroke systems of care and facilitating interactions between centres.

Keywords

Prehospital ambulance paramedic dispatcher ischaemic stroke intracerebral haemorrhage subarachnoid haemorrhage routing emergency medical system stroke centres

Type: Chapter
Information: Stroke Prevention and Treatment
An Evidence-based Approach
, pp. 35 - 58

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316286234.004[Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2020

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