Care for stroke victims in the emergency room: analysis of challenges and strategies

Abstract

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) represents a highly complex acute neurological condition and is one of the leading causes of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide. Immediate emergency room care is essential to reduce sequelae and improve clinical outcomes, requiring adequate infrastructure, defined protocols, and multiprofessional integration. Objective: To analyze the challenges in the care of stroke victims in the emergency department and identify clinical and organizational strategies capable of optimizing management, reducing response time, and minimizing complications. Methodology: An integrative literature review was conducted, including quantitative and qualitative studies, systematic reviews, experience reports, and institutional guidelines, with searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, and LILACS. Descriptors related to stroke, emergency care, clinical protocols, and hospital management were used, considering publications from 2018 to 2025 in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. Results: Efficient care depends on standardized clinical protocols, clear organizational flows, and staff training. Structured strategies reduce delays, increase the effectiveness of thrombolytic therapies, improve interdepartmental communication, and optimize the use of human and technological resources. Discussion: Structural limitations and staff overload compromise the agility of care, highlighting the need for multiprofessional integration and continuous education. Conclusion: The implementation of well-defined organizational and clinical strategies is essential to ensure rapid, safe, and efficient care for stroke patients, contributing to better clinical and organizational outcomes.