Development of regional stroke programs

Abstract

The organization of stroke care has undergone a dramatic evolution in the USA over the last two decades. Beginning with the recommendation for Primary Stroke Centers (PSCs) in 1994, there has been a concerted effort by physicians, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and state legislatures to advance an evidence-based system of care with several tiers of stroke centers. At the apex of this structure are Regional Stroke Centers (RSCs), which do not have official recognition like PSCs and Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs), but their existence as a hub for the many disparate spokes of stroke care in their region is increasingly necessary. Observational evidence suggests that this approach is improving the delivery of stroke care and reducing costs in the USA. Similar efforts are being made in Europe and Asia with encouraging results. The RSC model has the potential to lead to more uniform evidence-based stroke medicine, but many challenges exist.