Optimising prehospital pathways to improve acute stroke reperfusion therapy delivery: systems-based approaches

Intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy are the only approved reperfusion treatments available for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Despite the advances in reperfusion therapy, time continues to be a critical factor in the delivery of reperfusion treatment in acute stroke settings. In recent years, some systems-based approaches have been pursued with considerable success. However, approaches aimed at optimising and reducing treatment delays specifically in the prehospital settings are limited. A systems-based approach aimed at improving the process of care in the prehospital setting may result in the reduction of treatment delays and potentially improve clinical outcomes. In this article, we present an overview of the current prehospital acute stroke pathway. Areas to reduce treatment delays are identified and optimisations to the prehospital workflow addressing the identified gaps in acute stroke settings are proposed. Improving process and system gaps would translate to improved post-stroke outcomes following reperfusion therapy.