In some states, ambulance crews who suspect that a patient is having a stroke are required to take the patient to a designated stroke center hospital (unless the closest is too far away). This happened first in Massachusetts, where officials came to realize that most hospitals were having trouble getting on-call specialists in place to treat stroke victims. The state created a stroke care system in 2004. Now, it looks like Virginia and the District of Columbia are moving this direction, too. In Virginia, Gov. Tim Kaine (D) already has signed a bill requiring ambulance crews to take stroke patients to Joint Commission-certified primary stroke centers. Meanwhile, DC's Fire and Emergency Medical Services soon will issue a rule requiring that District crews do the same.
To learn more about stroke transport in these states:
- read this Washington Post article (reg. req.)
Related Articles:
Studies: Hospital stroke deaths rise on weekends. Report
Hospital uses remote neurologists to treat strokes. Report
Study: Hospital clot care inadequate. Report
Study: Hospital clot risks not always addressed. Report
Improving stroke outcomes. Report
Stent study surprises researchers with higher clot risk. Report