Have a Pharmacist Respond to Acute Strokes to Help with tPA

Clinicians will sort through new evidence looking for the best ways to bust clots in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Optimal stroke care is a big focus. The Joint Commission looks at whether patients get IV alteplase (Activase) appropriately...and Medicare penalizes excess 30-day stroke readmissions.

We know that one patient will have minimal or no disability at 3 months...for every 6 patients given IV alteplase within 3 h of symptom onset...or every 14 patients given IV alteplase from 3 to 4.5 h of symptom onset.