Mapping stroke care to get patients to the right hospital faster
Geospatial modeling for stroke care
Builds a GPS-like tool to help paramedics route people with suspected severe strokes so they get the right treatment faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324260 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or a loved one has sudden stroke symptoms, this project will create a geospatial triage algorithm that predicts which hospital and treatment path (IV thrombolysis versus endovascular therapy) gives the best chance of recovery. The team will combine maps of hospital locations and travel times with stroke-severity indicators and prior clinical data in a Bayesian decision model to estimate likely outcomes for each routing choice. They will test the model using real-world EMS and hospital data and work with emergency services to refine how it could be used in practice. The goal is to shorten delays to lifesaving thrombectomy when needed while avoiding unnecessary detours for patients who only need IV therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with suspected acute ischemic stroke within treatment time windows, especially those with signs of large vessel occlusion or living far from thrombectomy-capable centers.
Not a fit: People with hemorrhagic (bleeding) strokes, symptoms outside treatment windows, or those already at the appropriate hospital may not benefit from this routing tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could increase the number of patients who reach the right hospital quickly, improving recovery and reducing long-term disability from severe strokes.
How similar studies have performed: Some prehospital triage tools and routing protocols have improved access to thrombectomy, but integrating geospatial mapping with a Bayesian outcome model is a newer approach that is not yet widely validated.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ortega-Gutierrez, Santiago — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Ortega-Gutierrez, Santiago
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.