Developing an interactive medical record for each acute stroke patient and every patient at risk for stroke within a health system would facilitate accurate relay of real-time patient information. This information might include standardized, quantitative stroke scale scores and live video of functional assessments, neuroradiological imaging, laboratory studies, protocols, and care maps. Primary prevention strategies, secondary prevention measures, acute interventions, and neurorehabilitative protocols could be implemented on a more widespread and standardized basis. Thus, rigorously and scientifically acquired data could be accumulated much more rapidly than has been possible previously, hastening the advancement and refinement of care for patients. Return to top Summary Most effective behavior change requires alteration of the environment in which the system functions and in which care is provided.
Education is often necessary but, by itself, usually insufficient.
Effective behavioral and system change usually requires a combination of changes in administration, regulation, financial incentives, and information feedback. The goal is to provide the highest level of acute care for stroke patients as quickly as possible. Return to top References 1. Brott TG, Adams HP Jr, Olinger CP, et al. Adams RJ, Fisher M, Furlan AJ, et al.