MINNEAPOLIS, May 7, 2008—Mayo Clinic has developed a new stroke rapid-response protocol that helps maximize a patient's survival and well-being, and helps to minimize brain damage and disability,

The rapid-response protocol for critically ill stroke patients, already in use at Mayo and other hospitals in southern Minnesota, includes:

• a single-call by the local emergency room physician to a Mayo Clinic care team, including a stroke specialist, to discuss treatment options and alert the Mayo air ambulance transport team;
• a computed tomography (CT) scan within 10 minutes of arrival at the local emergency room to determine the type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) and allow treatment to begin;
• for patients whose stroke is ischemic and whose symptoms began less than three hours before arrival at the hospital, a thrombolytic medication is injected intravenously to dissolve the clot .

The thrombolytic medication increases by one-third the chances of a full or almost full recovery.

This Mayo Clinic stroke rapid-response protocol was designed to provide expedited care during regular hours and off-hours on weekdays, weekends and holidays.

"In stroke, time is brain cells — the longer treatment is delayed, the greater the likelihood of brain damage. Timely recognition of symptoms and rapid request for care are crucial for successful treatment," says Alejandro Rabinstein, M.D., a neurologist at Mayo. "This protocol works because of excellent teamwork between Mayo Clinic and Mayo Health System. Ultimately, this benefits our patients."

Mayo Clinic news release