Eligible Stroke Centre (MBS Item Descriptor for acute ischaemic stroke)
Eligible stroke centre means a facility that:
(a) has a designated stroke unit: and
(b) on a 24-hour basis, is equipped and staffed so that it is capable of providing the following to a patient:
(i) neurointerventional expertise (including with staff capable of performing mechanical thrombectomy); and
(ii) diagnostic imaging services using advanced imaging techniques (including computed tomography, computed tomography angiography, digital subtraction angiography, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography); and
(iii) care from a team of health practitioners, including stroke physicians, neurosurgeons, neurologists, radiologists, anaesthetists, intensive care unit specialists, medical imaging technologists and
nurses; and
(iv) optimised time for treatment and other processes through coordination with ambulance services and referral centres; and
(c) includes dedicated endovascular angiography facilities; and
(d) has staff that participate in regular multidisciplinary clinical and quality improvement meetings; and
(e) has written procedures for assessing and treating patients who have, or may have, experienced a stroke.