Do all patients in the mobile stroke unit get clot-busting medications?

Clot-busting medications only treat strokes caused by blockages in the blood vessels to the brain. Some types of strokes are caused by bleeding in the brain, and clot-busting medications would be dangerous to give to these patients. The CT scan can help stroke experts tell the difference between a stroke caused by blockage and a stroke caused by bleeding. Even if a patient has a blockage, it may not be safe to give them the clot-busting medication if there’s a high chance it can cause bleeding. This may include patients on blood thinners or patients whose stroke symptoms started too long ago. If the patient can’t get the clot-busting medication, the mobile stroke unit staff can deliver skilled neurological care on the way to the hospital. This may include giving special medications not kept on a regular ambulance

Show All Answers

1. What is a stroke?
2. What is a mobile stroke unit?
3. What is the benefit of a mobile stroke unit?
4. Why isn’t the mobile stroke unit leaving right away to go to the hospital?
5. Do all patients in the mobile stroke unit get clot-busting medications?
6. The mobile stroke unit is operated by UC Health. Does that mean all patients are taken to a UC Health hospital?