The Mobile Stroke
Unit Concept 

Since 2000, our research group has been working on the concept of prehospital care (Fassbender et al., 2003, Walter S et al., PLOS One 2010, Walter S et al., Lancet 2012). 

The concept is based on a specialized ambulance (Mobile Stroke Unit, MSU). In addition to standard ambulance equipment, the MSU is equipped with the necessary tools for diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke or similar emergencies. This includes the specialised CT scanner, a point-of-care laboratory, and stroke medication. Via telemedicine, CT images and real-time videos may be bidirectionally transmitted between the hospital and MSU. These images could be integrated into the hospital’s medical records (by DICOM compliance). With the point-of-care laboratory, stroke-specific lab tests (thrombocytes, erythrocytes, leukocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit, INR, PTT, gamma-GT, p-Amylase, Creatinine, Glucose, etc.) can be analysed within minutes in the Mobile Stroke Unit.