Saving the brain initiative – Developing an effective hub-and-spoke model to improve the acute stroke management pathways in urban India

Abstract Objectives We aimed to develop and evaluate a hub-and-spoke model in the East Delhi by assessing knowledge and creating awareness through sensitization programs in target communities and among general physicians (GPs) along with implementation of a standard stroke management protocol (SMP) at our institute in order to extend the benefit of thrombolytic therapy. Methods We carried out a prospective interventional study using sensitization program comprising 1046 community participants and 101 GPs under “Saving the Brain Initiative” project. Network included one hub and six nearby spoke hospitals. The pre-awareness and post-awareness data along with clinical outcome of thrombolysis collected over 2012–2017 was analyzed. Results We observed lack of awareness in communities and among GPs regarding stroke symptomatology and treatment options. There was 17.3% increase in patients with stroke post-awareness programs. Door-to-door time improved as 49.3% of patients reached hospital within Conclusions Sensitization of primary physicians, paramedical and medical staff along with community dwellers and implementation of SMP through hub-and-stroke model is instrumental in improving the rate of thrombolysis and its outcome.