Code Stroke: rapid transport, triage and treatment using rt-PA therapy. The NINDS rt-PA Stroke Study Group

With the approval of rt-PA therapy for ischemic stroke, stroke care has acutely transitioned from focusing on rehabilitative services to emergency services. This treatment, which must be initiated within the first three hours after the onset of stroke symptoms, requires reorganization of current management approaches. Developing a Code Stroke Team facilitates this process and helps to identify potential thrombolysis candidates. A pathway to deliver rapid care begins with 911 notification and transport, emergency department triage and procedures, and moves through the initiation of thrombolytic therapy. We call this pathway "Code Stroke".