Proposed clinical practice protocol for the treatment of stroke at the hospital level

Abstract

 Objective: To propose a clinical practice protocol for the in-hospital treatment of stroke and to evaluate its feasibility and initial impact following a trial period at Hospital Vargas. Methods: This was a quantitative, non-experimental, and descriptive feasibility study. The process consisted of four phases: situational assessment, protocol design, implementation, and evaluation. Data collection was conducted using a structured survey validated by expert judgment; instrument reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.90). Descriptive statistics were employed, expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results: Participants included 35 Internal Medicine residents. Prior to the intervention, 73.9% of respondents stated that the lack of a standardized protocol caused delays in care; 60.9% noted a lack of diagnostic equipment; and 95.7% applied international guidelines that were not adapted to the local context. Following the implementation of the proposed protocol, there was a reduction in diagnostic response times, improved inter-departmental coordination, and a more rational use of imaging resources through the use of alternatives for centers without CT scanning capabilities. Conclusion: The proposed protocol improved the initial management of stroke at Hospital Vargas, reduced critical response times, and strengthened communication between clinical services. This model is applicable to resource-limited settings and can serve as a foundation for adapted national protocols.