Introduction

Who We Are

The name of the organization is the Coalition of Special Taskforces for Stroke (CSTS). It is recognized as a non-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service in the US . The organization is established solely for scientific and educational purposes.

Great progress has been made in the development of treatments for acute ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke but most are time dependent and are therefore only of value if the patient presents to a stroke center shortly after the onset of symptoms. Only about 5% of patients receive intravenous thrombolysis for ischemic stroke in the US and about 10% in some European countries. The figures are even lower in middle- and low-income countries. This in large part due to poor public recognition of the symptoms of stroke, a lack of a clear pathway for pre-hospital care and poorly developed emergency medical services. Clear guidance exists for the structure of hospital stroke services but there is much less for the organization of pre-hospital care.

Aims

• Promote communication and understanding in the field of stroke recognition and the pre-hospital management of stroke.
• Support the development of health services needed to deliver prompt high-quality care in the pre-hospital setting and the emergency departments to all patients though better education of health professionals and advising health planners on structure and function of acute stroke care
• Develop standard protocol and training for stroke recognition and action: for example, how to call emergency service properly, how to take care of a stroke patient on site etc.

Meet the Team