Stroke units and stroke care services in Korea

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Healthcare Systems

Background:

• Organized stroke care systems enhance patient outcomes but necessitate resources and quality improvement initiatives.
• Understanding the current landscape of stroke care services and dedicated stroke units in Korea is crucial for strategic development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current status of stroke care services and stroke units within Korean hospitals.
• To identify factors influencing the implementation of stroke units and potential areas for improvement in acute stroke management.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to physicians overseeing stroke services or neurology departments in Korean neurology training hospitals.
• Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 67 out of 86 eligible hospitals (78.0% response rate).

Main Results:

• All participating hospitals provided 24/7 Brain CT and CT angiography; over 95% offered advanced diagnostics like TCD and carotid duplex.
• Intravenous thrombolysis and hemicraniectomy were universally available 24/7, with 74.6% offering intra-arterial thrombolysis.
• While 43.3% of hospitals had stroke units, their presence correlated with hospital size; these units more frequently featured stroke coordinators and standardized protocols.

Conclusions:

• Korean neurology training hospitals demonstrate robust capabilities in delivering acute stroke care services.
• The widespread implementation of specialized stroke units remains limited, indicating a need for targeted support and policy encouragement.
• Governmental or national stroke society initiatives could effectively promote the adoption of stroke units with minimal additional resources.