Stroke Coordinator Developmental Needs Around the Globe: An MT - ANVC International Survey

Background Stroke Coordinators (SC) should be commonly utilized in Stroke Centers to ensure provision of evidence-based services, oversee quality improvement, and support interdisciplinary and community education. Mission Thrombectomy (MT) partnered with the Association of Neurovascular Clinicians (ANVC) to understand how SCs are utilized outside the US and to compare developmental needs for this role across the world. Methods A brief survey was constructed to capture information about the use of SCs and their duties, including personnel utilized to execute the role and areas deemed important for role development. The survey was disseminated through the MT and ANVC membership rosters; returned data were assembled in SPSS (version 25) and analyzed using descriptive and X2statistical tests.Results A total of 74 surveys were returned from 17 countries (63% USA). Survey responders were SCs (41%), physicians (39%), program managers (19%) and advanced practice providers (APPs) (1%); 47% were from thrombectomy centers. The SC role was filled at 92% of centers; MDs more commonly assumed the SC role outside the USA (63%), versus registered nurses in the USA (95%; X2=25.2, p<0.001). Of the 70% of respondents interested in receiving assistance from MT and ANVC for SC development resources, the functions deemed most important were “quality improvement” and “emergency medical service personnel education” for USA respondents (36%), whereas “development of stroke systems of care” (60%) and “government policy change” (40%) were ranked highest outside the USA. Conclusions Non-USA Stroke Centers have significant SC development needs that differ markedly from those within the USA. MT provides an important platform to engage international programs and the MT/ANVC partnership is well positioned to further stroke nursing care and SC development globally.