Abstract:

This article summarizes a Medtronic-sponsored webinar held on the 19th of March 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. This webinar was moderated by Professor Jens Fiehler. In his introduction to the presentations given by the two speakers, Dr Alejandro Tomasello Weitz and Dr Marc Ribó Jacobi, Professor Fiehler reiterated the axiom familiar to all neurologists: that with a stroke, time lost is brain lost. Professor Fiehler noted that improved organization with associated time savings in the patient transfer process to hospital, and in in-hospital organization, can have a significant beneficial impact in improving patients’ treatment outcomes.

This webinar examined the ever-present dilemma faced by stroke neurologists: is it in the best interests of a patient with suspected acute stroke to be despatched the nearest primary stroke-ready hospital, to be stabilized, and if necessary, subsequently transferred to a comprehensive stroke centre, or should the patient be transferred directly to a comprehensive stoke centre? Dr Tomasello provided insights into the process of optimizing in-hospital work flows and demonstrated the significant time-saving that can be achieved in transferring the acute stroke patient via a direct to angio-suite protocol. This event was streamed live, via the Oruen Ltd website, to a wide audience of interventional neuroradiologists and physicians involved in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The viewing audience were able to participate in a Questions and Answers session after the speakers’ presentations.

 

Acknowledgements: The editorial assistance of Mr Rob Goodwin, Oruen Ltd, in the preparation of this article is acknowledged with thanks.

Keywords:

acute stroke, endovascular treatment, hospital transfer, in-hospital work flow.