http://www.euroinvestor.com/news/2016/10/27/the-world-stroke-organization-road-map-for-quality-stroke-care-has-been-launched/13471044
DUBLIN and HYDERABAD, India - Oct. 27, 2016 - In recognition of World Stroke Day, Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) and the World Stroke Organization (WSO) joined together for the third year to raise awareness of stroke and discuss the Road Map for Quality Stroke Care at a press conference held today at the World Stroke Congress in Hyderabad, India. Yesterday, WSO launched the Road Map, which provides the framework for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of stroke services globally. Medtronic is one of the sponsors of the Road Map. India was chosen for the launch to coincide with the World Stroke Congress in Hyderabad and World Stroke Day.
The
Road Map will provide guidance for local healthcare officials and
stroke care clinical groups for the selection of evidence-based
recommendations, approaches to implementations in clinical practice and
the calculation of performance measures to create an environment of
continuous quality improvement.
"India
is facing a stroke epidemic. The Road Map's introduction is timely and
will help our country take positive steps to address the impact of this
disease," said Jeyaraj Durai Pandian, head of neurology, Christian
Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
Currently,
the stroke incidence in India is much higher than Western
industrialized countries. With a population of 1.2 billion, 1.8 million
people suffer from stroke and one-third of those afflicted die annually.1 A 2013 study showed that approximately 23 percent of Indians are unaware of stroke warning symptoms.2
Advances
in stroke treatment have been significant in recent years and stroke
treatment guidelines have begun to reflect those changes; however, many
countries, including India, are still struggling to implement the latest
guidelines and ensure that patients are getting the appropriate
treatment within the recommended time frame.
"Every
day we see the impact that innovative treatment solutions can have on
acute ischemic stroke patients," said Madan Krishnan, vice president of
Indian Sub-continent at Medtronic. "We are committed to working with our
partners to ensure that stroke patients in India and across the world
have access to the right treatment at the right time."
In
addition to improving stroke care, Medtronic through its partnerships
with WSO and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
is focused on raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke. The
signs of stroke may include drooping or numbness in the face; sudden
weakness or numbness of one arm; trouble speaking; trouble seeing; loss
of balance; or severe headache with no known cause. If someone is
exhibiting any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, it is
important to seek medical attention immediately.
"The
speed at which someone gets medical attention during a stroke is
critical to the opportunity for complete recovery. On World Stroke Day
and year-round, WSO works to improve awareness of this devastating
disease," said Professor Werner Hacke, president, World Stroke
Organization. "Ensuring proper treatment is available is the second part
of the equation. Through our new Road Map, we are helping to improve
the processes of care and, ultimately, positively impact patient
outcomes."
In 2016, WSO and
Medtronic's partnership has focused on the treatability of stroke,
recognizing that although stroke is a complex medical issue, there are
ways to significantly reduce its impact. In addition, awareness of
stroke signs and symptoms plays a critical role and is a focus of the
partnership's efforts.
"On World
Stroke Day, WSO and Medtronic are working to increase stroke awareness
and ensure people know that stroke is treatable," said Stacey Pugh, vice
president and general manager of the Neurovascular business, which is
part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic. "With treatment
options such as the Solitaire stent retriever plus IV-tPA, patient
outcomes can be improved. We are committed to continuing to fight
stroke, not only through awareness efforts, but also by providing
innovative stroke treatment solutions."
Each
year on World Stroke Day Medtronic encourages people to take 2 minutes
to learn about the signs of stroke and then tell 2 people about those
signs as part of the global "Take 2.Tell 2" campaign. People can share
their stroke stories by visiting http://www.take2forstroke.com
and by posting on social media using the hashtag #take2forstroke.
Raising awareness can help others recognize the signs of stroke and
potentially help save a life.
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