Emergency Department Stroke Process
The Acute Stroke Page from the ED is a physician-to-physician page. This brings the stroke team to the patient's bedside in the emergency department; it notifies the ED radiologist and the ED radiology technician to clear the table and hold the table for the stroke patient. It also alerts the ED pharmacist to obtain the t-PA from the pharmacy or automated medication dispenser. During the time, the specialty teams are preparing for the patient: the ED team begins the assessment process, identifying the last known well time, the patient's signs and symptoms, and transports the patient to the CT scan. The CT scan is the critical screen for t-PA.