Abstract 13: The Feasibility and Development of a Mobile Stroke Unit in a Community Setting

Introduction: Time is brain, the faster a stroke patient is treated the better the outcome. Mobile Stroke Units (MSU) are an innovation in care allowing a specialized team to treat the patient in a pre-hospital setting. As hospitals consider the addition of a MSU, the feasibility of the program must be carefully explored, along with the challenges that come with developing a program. This abstract aims to discuss one hospital’s journey to develop and implement a MSU to bring cutting edge care to the community. Hypothesis: A hospital can operate in partnership with local EMS to provide stroke care to patients in the pre-hospital setting. Methods: A community hospital conducted a feasibility study to determine the effects of a MSU within their local EMS region. This study involved reviewing market share and trends, as well as, financial metrics. Following the feasibility study, an investment was made to develop a MSU program. Program development consisted of 5 main teams: Compliance/Regulatory, EMS, Communi...