Improving access to acute stroke therapies: A controlled trial of organised pre-hospital and emergency care

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the PAST (Pre-hospital Acute Stroke Triage) protocol in reducing pre-hospital and emergency department (ED) delays to patients receiving organised acute stroke care, thereby increasing access to thrombolytic therapy. Design: Prospective cohort study using historical controls. Setting: Hunter Region of New South Wales, September 2005 to March 2006 (pre-intervention) and September 2006 to March 2007 (post-intervention). Participants: Consecutive patients presenting with acute stroke to a regional, tertiary referral hospital. Intervention: PAST protocol, comprising a pre-hospital stroke assessment tool for ambulance officers, an ambulance protocol for h..