WCN 2021 | Stroke network performance during the COVID-19 pandemic

Michele Romoli, MD, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy, shares the main findings of a meta-analysis exploring the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on stroke network performance. This study compared the mothership model, which involves direct admission to a comprehensive stroke center, with the drip-and-ship model, which involves a first admission to a spoke center and subsequent transfer to a stroke center. It was found that although stroke admissions decreased, both stroke networks were able to deliver rates of treatment comparable to those in the pre-pandemic period. Nevertheless, the mothership model demonstrated more elasticity and may therefore be the most effective model. This interview took place during the XXV World Congress of Neurology.