Abstract
[OBJECTIVE] To examine the impact of Primary Stroke Center (PSC) certification on therapeutic time and patient outcomes in acute stroke care. [METHODS] We retrospectively analyzed 82 patients who underwent intravenous rt-PA or endovascular thrombectomy between April 2018 and March 2021. Therapeutic
time indicators included Door-to-Image Time (DIT), Door-to-Needle Time (DNT), Door-to-Puncture Time (DPT), and Door-to-Recanalization Time (DRT). Patient outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months after onset. [RESULTS] After PSC certification, DIT (p=0.022), DNT (p=0.001), and DPT (p=0.029) significantly decreased, whereas DRT and 3-month mRS showed no significant difference. [CONCLUSIONS] PSC certification was suggested to improve clinical processes and effectively reduce the time to treatment initiation. Continuous efforts are needed to further shorten therapeutic time and to identify factors influencing patient prognosis.
