Evaluation of pre-hospital transport time of stroke patients to thrombolytic treatment

Background: Effective treatment of stroke is time dependent. Pre-hospital management is an important link in reducing the time from occurrence of stroke symptoms to effective treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate time used by emergency medical services (EMS) for stroke patients during a five-year period in order to identify potential delays and evaluate the reorganization of EMS in Copenhagen in 2009. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of ambulance records from stroke patients suitable for thrombolysis from 1 January 2006 to 7 July 2011. We noted response time from dispatch of the ambulance to arrival at the scene, on-scene time and transport time to the hospital?in total, alarm-to-door time. In addition, we noted baseline characteristics. Results: We reviewed 481 records (58% male, median age 66 years). The median (IQR) alarm-to-door time in minutes was 41 (33?52), of which 18 (12?24) minutes were spent on scene. Response time was reduced from the period before to the period after reorganization (7 vs. 5 minutes, p
Source: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Source Type: research