Access of stroke patients' to optimal healthcare technology in Greece: Messages to policy makers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate accessibility of stroke patients to optimal healthcare technology in Greece. Methods: The study population consisted of 313 first ever stroke patients derived from the 'Stroke Units Necessity for Patients, SUN4P' registry. Descriptive statistics were used, to present patients' characteristics and resources utilization Results: The vast majority of patients (91.7%) conducted a CT scan during the acute phase (within the first 24hours). Almost, (65%) were admitted to wards of Internal Medicine Departments, whereas only 21% of patients were admitted to a Stroke Unit. Of note, a total of 6.9% of ischemic stroke patients received intravenous thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). Conclusions: Preliminary results from SUN4P underline the urgent necessity for the re-organization of acute stroke care in Greece, as rates of admissions to stroke units and rtPA treatment during the acute phase are currently below optimal. © 2020 The authors and IOS Press.