The ACLS Suspected Stroke Algorithm emphasizes critical actions for out-of-hospital and in-hospital care and treatment. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Critical Time Goals Included in the algorithm are critical time goals set by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS) for in-hospital assessment and management. These time goals are based on findings from large studies of stroke victims. These goals include:
Immediate general assessment by a stroke team, emergency physician, or other expert within 10 minutes of arrival, including the order for an urgent CT scan
Neurologic assessment by stroke team and CT scan performed within 25 minutes of arrival
Interpretation of CT scan within 45 minutes of ED arrival
Initiation of fibrinolytic therapy, if appropriate, within 1 hour of hospital arrival and 3 hours from onset of symptoms.
rTpa can be administered in “well screened” patients who are at low risk for bleeding for up to 4.5 hours.
Door-to-admission time of 3 hours for all patients.
Remember, the biggest majority of strokes are of the ischemic type (87%).