Optimizing ischemic stroke outcomes: an interdisciplinary approach to poststroke rehabilitation in acute care

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading producer of disability among adults in the United States. Despite the high incidence of stroke, the general public's understanding of stroke symptoms, risk factors, and the need for early assessment and treatment is poor contributing to delays in treatment and the potential for suboptimal outcomes. Ischemic stroke accounts for most stroke events. Treatment is expanding to include drug agents that lyse clots and medications that may interrupt the neuronal metabolic cascade occurring with ischemia. Rehabilitative strategies require synergistic, collaborative relations among providers to optimize outcomes.