Acute Stroke Program of Interventions Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Acute Stroke Program of Interventions Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities
The purpose of this study is to increase treatment of acute stroke with tissue plasminogen
 activator (tPA) across the District of Columbia. This study, however, will not evaluate tPA
 as an intervention.
There are a number of well-known barriers to receiving tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
 including transit time to hospital, paramedic and provider training, tPA standing orders, and
 provider guidelines. Among underserved populations, limited stroke knowledge, socioculturally
 determined attitudes, and beliefs and myths held by community members may serve as additional
 barriers that hinder these populations from receiving tPA and acute stroke care. Targeted
 multilevel interventions designed to overcome specific barriers may significantly increase
 the number of individuals with stroke who are appropriately treated with intravenous tPA (IV
 tPA) in underserved communities. Identification of the specific components of healthcare
 interventions that are the most effective is critical to improve delivery of acute stroke
 therapy.

 The goal of this study is to learn more about public knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and
 perceptions regarding stroke and stroke treatment in order to identify sociocultural and
 environmental barriers to receiving tPA and acute stroke care in an underserved community.
 This study will also determine if implementation of a multilevel intervention program can
 significantly increase the number of people with ischemic stroke who are appropriately
 treated with IV tPA in a predominantly underserved community.

 In the study, researchers will evaluate the different levels of the intervention to determine
 which efforts are most effective.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke

 -  over the age of 18

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -