Which designation is the Primary Stroke Center?

Which designation is the Primary Stroke Center?

• A. Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC)
• B. Thrombectomy-capable stroke center (TSC)
• C. Primary Stroke Center (PSC)
• D. Acute Stroke Ready Hospital (ASRH)

Answer: (C)

A Primary Stroke Center is the facility equipped to deliver the essential, evidence-based care for acute stroke right away. It means the hospital can rapidly evaluate a suspected stroke, perform immediate brain imaging, and initiate treatment promptly, all within standardized protocols and with a 24/7 stroke team available. This level focuses on delivering the core initial stroke care and stabilizing the patient, with clear pathways for transfer if more advanced interventions or specialty support are needed. The other designations describe centers with broader or different capabilities—comprehensive centers offer extensive neurosurgical and endovascular services, thrombectomy-capable centers focus on clot removal, and acute stroke ready hospitals provide basic readiness but not the full PSC spectrum. So, the designation that identifies the facility set up for this essential initial stroke care is Primary Stroke Center.

A Primary Stroke Center is the facility equipped to deliver the essential, evidence-based care for acute stroke right away. It means the hospital can rapidly evaluate a suspected stroke, perform immediate brain imaging, and initiate treatment promptly, all within standardized protocols and with a 24/7 stroke team available. This level focuses on delivering the core initial stroke care and stabilizing the patient, with clear pathways for transfer if more advanced interventions or specialty support are needed. The other designations describe centers with broader or different capabilities—comprehensive centers offer extensive neurosurgical and endovascular services, thrombectomy-capable centers focus on clot removal, and acute stroke ready hospitals provide basic readiness but not the full PSC spectrum. So, the designation that identifies the facility set up for this essential initial stroke care is Primary Stroke Center.