Mobile Stroke Units Accelerate Treatment Times: Key Findings from Recent Study

A recent study published in Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology on July 1 highlights the effectiveness of mobile stroke units (MSUs) in reducing treatment delays for patients with large-vessel occlusion strokes. Researchers from Emory University in Atlanta analyzed data from June 2018 to November 2023, comparing treatment times and clinical outcomes of stroke patients transported by traditional emergency medical services (EMS) versus those assisted by the hospital's specialized MSU. The mobile stroke unit is equipped with a mobile CT scanner and staffed by a dedicated team including an EMS driver, an emergency medicine registered nurse, a paramedic, and a CT technician. Initially operational six days a week, the unit's deployment eventually expanded to improve patient care. Key insights from the study include significant reductions in time-to-treatment metrics when using the MSU compared to standard EMS, underscoring its potential to enhance stroke outcomes through rapid intervention.