Question

What is the purpose of the hospital having stroke alert protocols?

Answer 1

Strokes, or cerebrovascular attacks (CVA), are events that lead to loss of blood supply in the brain causing hypoxia and neuronal cell death in surrounding tissues which can vastly alter mentation and physical functions and may result in permanent disability. Strokes are the leading cause of permanent disability among adults in the United States and the third leading cause of death in the United States

STROKE ALERT PROTOCOL PURPOSE.

To establish a standard, well-coordinated and integrated approach to the recognition and treatment of any patient exhibiting signs and symptoms of acute stroke less than 8 hours in duration or arriving within 8 hours of waking up with stroke-like symptoms

A code stroke alert is activated anytime a patient with signs or symptoms of stroke/TIA presents to the hospital within 8 hours of symptom onset. activation allows members of the Code Stroke team to quickly mobilize to the E.D. so that treatment of the acute stroke patient can begin as soon as possible.