ACUTE STROKE

Course overview

ACUTE STROKE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH WORLDWIDE AND THE LEADING CAUSE OF DISABILITY. THERE ARE ABOUT 800,000 NEW STROKES EVERY YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE. ACUTE STROKES ARE A MAJOR FINANCIAL BURDEN AS WELL. CURRENTLY, AN ESTIMATED 3 TO 4% OF TOTAL HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE IN WESTERN COUNTRIES IS SPENT ON STROKE. THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STROKE, AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR THEM. MOST MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES REQUIRE PROMPT EVALUATION AND A STRICT TIME WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE GREATEST BENEFIT FROM THESE INTERVENTIONS. CLINICAL EDUCATION TO UPDATE PROVIDERS REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS CONDITION WILL LEAD TO BETTER CARE COORDINATION AMONG INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM MEMBERS AND IMPROVE CLINICAL OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS AFFECTED BY THIS DISEASE.