Faculty Advisor(s)
Elaine Halesey
Abstract
Strokes are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Optimal outcomes in stroke care depend on rapid diagnosis and immediate treatment. In hospitals, stroke protocols prioritize rapid computed tomography (CT) scans and bloodwork to diagnose and treat the patient promptly as needed. A mobile stroke unit (MSU) is a specialized ambulance equipped with a stroke team, a built-in CT scanner, and the necessary medications for treatment. This pre-hospital intervention has significantly decreased diagnosis and interventional treatment times, leading to better patient outcomes. In particular, MSUs are important for enabling the administration of treatments, such as intravenous thrombolysis, before the patient arrives at the hospital. Despite high costs and issues with staffing and dispatching, MSUs demonstrate clinical efficiency and prove to be cost-effective, especially in urban and rural areas. With ongoing advancements in technology, as well as possibilities for reimbursement, MSUs hold a promising future in the evolution of stroke care.
Keywords: stroke, mobile stroke unit, computed tomography, intravenous thrombolysis
Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Poster
Department
Medical Imaging
Keywords
stroke, mobile stroke unit, computed tomography, intravenous thrombolysis
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Recommended Citation
Grosch, Jocelyn, "The Role and Impact of Mobile Stroke Units" (2025). Student Research Poster Presentations 2025. 8.
https://digitalcommons.misericordia.edu/research_posters2025/8