TIA Rapid Assessment Clinics

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Rapid Assessment services specialize in identifying and treating TIAs, helping to prevent a full-blown stroke.

The BC Stroke Strategy recommends providing rapid assessment for all TIAs occurring in the province as part of the Provincial Stroke Action Plan. It also recommends future development of teleTIA networks (based on Telemedicine) to enable and support best practices in stroke care across the province.

The plan was tabled with the BC Ministry of Health Services and regional Health Authorities in December 2010 for decision around governance, funding and implementation.

This builds on services provided by TIA Rapid Assessment already operating in British Columbia. Download a list of TIA Rapid Assessment Clinic hours and locations.

Fraser Health Authority
In February 2009, the Fraser Health Authority launched three TIA prototype clinics with $365,000 from the BC Stroke Strategy. The network of clinics provides outpatient service through Royal Columbian, Surrey Memorial and Abbotsford Regional Hospitals. TIA patients can now be referred to a clinic for follow up by family physicians or after being discharged from an emergency department.

Vancouver Island Health Authority
There are two TIA clinics operating within the Vancouver Island Health Authority:

• The Stroke Rapid Assessment Unit at the Victoria General Hospital recently extended its hours from four to five days a week and is now open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday
• The North Island Stroke Clinic is now operating in Campbell River from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Vancouver Coastal Health
The Vancouver General Hospital has also expanded its clinic hours from 2.5 to four days a week. Lion’s Gate Hospital hired a nurse to build stronger links between general practitioners and neurologists and create standardized protocols, referral forms and educational materials. A Rapid TIA Assessment process is now in place on the North Shore.

St Paul’s Hospital developed a “stroke pathway” within the Emergency Department, allowing TIA patients to receive a consult from neurologist and appropriate imaging within 24 hours of entering the unit. The hospital has also opened an outpatient assessment clinic one day a week.

Interior Health Authority
The Interior Health Authority established two Rapid TIA Assessment Clinics in Cranbrook and Kamloops.

Northern Health Authority
The Northern Health Authority hired a clinical lead and a neurologist to identify current stroke practices and protocols. As a result, Northern Health offers a Rapid TIA Assessment process for high risk stroke patients in the Prince George area.

To download the TIA Rapid Assessment Project Plan, click here.