Stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide (WHO, 2011). Americans paid about $73.7 billion for stroke-related medical cost and disability in 2010 (ASA, 2013). Early access to medical treatment, such as intravenous thrombolysis within 3 to 4.5 hours after acute stroke onset, decreases acute stroke patients' disability at 90 days (NINDS, 1995; ECASS, 2008), but only 1 to 4% patients of acute stroke receive this treatment in the United States (NINDS, 1995; ECASS, 2008; Berg & Jong, 2009). The purpose of this poster is to propose an evidence-based intervention related to improving patients of acute stroke access to early medical treatment such as intravenous thrombolysis. Literature related to early access to stroke treatment was reviewed, and the problems, needs, and current practices related to early access to acute ischemic stroke management were analyzed. Interdisciplinary evidence was explored and used to support and explain the proposed intervention. Integration of the intervention into practice and implications for research will be discussed.
