Management of ischemic stroke: Part 2. The inpatient stay.
BACKGROUND
Acute ischemic stroke is commonly encountered by the hospitalist. There have been dramatic changes in our ability to care for these patients both acutely and in secondary prevention. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) primary stroke center certification has become progressively more important to institutions nationally and emphasizes many elements of the inpatient stay and discharge process.


OBJECTIVE
After admission, the focus changes to avoidance of complications and the appropriate initiation of allied therapies and secondary prevention.


METHODS
Primary trials, current guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
The hospitalist is well-positioned to play a major role in the treatment of stroke patients as well as the systems work that aids in the management of this population.
Lu-Emerson
Christine
C
Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Likosky
David
D
Amin
Alpesh
A
Tirschwell
David
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation; D002545:Brain Ischemia; D016893:Carotid Stenosis; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D020445:Hospitalists; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011859:Radiography; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D020521:Stroke / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014481:United States
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents