Stroke priorities during COVID-19 outbreak: acting both fast and safe

Abstract

While the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spreads all over the world, the healthcare systems are facing the dramatic challenge of simultaneously fight against the outbreak and life-threating emergencies. In this biological setting, emergency departments and neurovascular teams are exposed to high risk of infection and should therefore be prepared to deal with neurological emergencies safely. The purpose of this article is to analyze the current evidence on COVID-19 in the context of acute ischemic stroke and to describe the model of behavior we are putting into action to maintain the stroke pathway both rapid for the patient and safe for the healthcare professionals. We reserve a specific focus on personal protection equipment, dress code and healthcare professional behavior.

Keywords: Acute stroke therapy; Coronavirus; Intervention; Ischaemic stroke; Pandemic; Stroke; Stroke teams; Thrombolysis.

Fig. 1

Angio Suite – medical devices: storage and claiming.MD: medical doctor; N1: nurse n.1; N2: nurse n.2; D1: device stored within the angio suite cupboard; D2: device stored within the depot; G: contaminated PPE dedicated garbage; CL: cloth soaked with sodium hypochlorite; C: cart located outside the angio suite; RT: radiologist technician; “Patient”: patient's entrance door; “Staff”: staff's exit door.