Backgound/ Aims: Hub and spoke system for stroke care aims to optimize stroke care by bridging the gap between the centers and delivering the highest quality stroke care to patients. This study aims to assess the efficacy and outcomes of the Hub-and-Spoke system.
Methods: The study utilizes a retrospective single-center review assessing the Hub-and-Spoke model in a period of 2 years. Total population sampling was done with focus on acute ischemic stroke patients evaluating mortality and disability at 3-month follow-up.
Results: The study consisted of 132 stroke patients transferred to the hub hospital and 42 (31.8%) of them had acute ischemic stroke. Among these 42 ischemic stroke patients, 32 (76%) of them were candidates for thrombolysis with a mean NIHSS of 12 (6-22). A total of 23 out of the 32 (72%) who were eligible in the window period were given r-TPA. Functional outcomes given r-TPA showed an mRS 0-1 in 21 patients (91.2%), two with mRS 2-3 at 8.7%. Patients not given r-TPA had a mean NIHSS of 17 (2-32) and functional outcome after 3 months showed an mRS 0-1 in 52.5%, mRS 2-3 in 16%, mRS 4-5 in 21.2% and mRS 6 in 10.5%.
Conclusion: Hub and spoke networks represent a crucial advancement in stroke treatment particularly for facilities lacking the capacity to manage strokes effectively. By leveraging added expertise and reducing the time from onset to diagnosis to treatment, these networks have significantly enhanced patient care by increasing thrombolysis rate and reducing morbidity and preventing mortality.