Why the study?
Do higher stroke service levels (Stroke Units) improve intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) rates in acute stroke patients?
Do higher stroke service levels (Stroke Units) improve intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) rates in acute stroke patients?
Admitting acute stroke patients to Stroke Units may increase IVT rates, particularly among older patients and those with preexisting disabilities.
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IVT rate gaps across stroke services likely reflect selection practices; leaves open whether higher-level units improve access for older or disabled patients.
Differences in IVT rates among stroke service levels were mainly explained by differences administering IVT to older patients and patients with preexisting disabilities. This indicates considerable further potential to increase IVT rates. Our findings support guideline recommendations to admit acute stroke patients to SUs.
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Gumbinger et al. (2016) studied this question.
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