Emergency & Acute Care

Emergency and acute stroke care covers everything from identifying the signs of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or a stroke and transporting patients quickly to appropriate hospitals, to treating patients with full blown stroke or refering suspected TIA patients for further evaluation.

In December 2010, the BC Stroke Strategy tabled the Provincial Stroke Action Plan with the BC Ministry of Health Services and regional Health Authorities for decision around governance, funding and implementation. The Action Plan recommends improving pre-hospital care as well as expanding TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) Rapid Assessment services and Telestroke across British Columbia.

The BC Stroke Strategy (2006) included five recommendations to improve emergency and acute stroke care:

1. Prioritizing emergency and acute stroke care
2. Timely access to emergency and acute stroke care
3. Delivery of thrombolytic (blood clot) therapy
4. Telemedicine
5. Organization of care

The BC Stroke Strategy completed two prototypes, supported implementation of emergency department stroke protocols and developed a province-wide, hyperacute response plan:

• Telestroke
• Rapid TIA Clinics
• Hyperacute (ACVS)
• Emergency Department Protocols