SOS-NET

In 2007, the Stroke Care Eastern Saxony Network (SOS-NET), located at the University Hospital Dresden, was established to ensure that doctors from smaller hospitals have access to expertise of specialised neurologists around the clock.

Stroke is the third most common cause of death and the most common cause for permanent disability in Germany. The introduction of stroke units including thrombolysis significantly improved the neurological outcome of patients.

In Eastern Saxony, there were initially only three certified stroke units in the Dresden area, so that most of the affected patients cannot be treated in time in these special units.

It is necessary to adapt the existing health care structures to ensure a guideline-appropriate acute treatment for all patients.

To improve acute care, the Health Region Carus Consilium Sachsen (CCS) initiated the SOS-Net in 2007. Currently, it involves 16 hospitals.

Experts from the University Stroke Centre (DUSC) ensure tele medical co-evaluation of acute stroke patients by a video conference system and support the establishment of identical quality standards for the treatment of stroke patients in the region.

In this context, identical therapy guidelines have been established and medical, nursing, and therapeutic staff trained in the treatment of acute stroke patients.

The SOS-NET web site can be found at: www.neuro.med.tu-dresden.de/sos-net