The Practical Implementation of Mobile Stroke Units
Work Type
Poster
Abstract
Research Question: What is the current body of research regarding mobile stroke units, and what gaps can be identified for additional study?
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., with over 800,000 people affected annually. In Iowa alone, more than 1,400 stroke-related deaths occur each year.
Timely intervention is critical in stroke management— “time is brain.” Even minor delays can drastically affect patient outcomes, making rapid diagnosis and treatment essential.
Mobile Stroke Units (MSUs) are a recent innovation designed to deliver specialized stroke care directly to the patient in the prehospital setting. These advanced ambulances include CT scanners, telemedicine capabilities, and clinicians such as Certified Physician Assistants (PA-C)!
MSUs enable earlier intervention with thrombolytics and facilitate faster transfer to thrombectomy-capable centers, bypassing unnecessary delays at less equipped facilities.
My interest in this topic stems from a desire to improve patient outcomes and hospital workflows through innovative, system-level changes in emergency medicine.
This literature review explored the effectiveness of MSUs in improving treatment times, patient outcomes, and triage efficiency—and identifies critical research gaps, especially for rural implementation and cost-effectiveness.
Publication Date
4-13-2025
Citation Information
Hartwell, Mark, "The Practical Implementation of Mobile Stroke Units" (2025). Student Works Physician Assistant. 36.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/stu_pa/36
