Comparing Primary and Comprehensive Stroke Centers

Primary Stroke Center	Comprehensive Stroke Center (Rhode Island Hospital)
Patient Care
Stabilize and treat most cases of acute ischemic stroke	Cares for all types of stroke patients, both ischemic and hemorrhagic and including complex cases requiring advanced technology, specialized diagnosis and higher levels of treatment.
Advanced Imaging
No advanced imaging (such as CT angiography, CT perfusion or transcranial Doppler) required.	24/7 access to advanced imaging including CT angiography, CT perfusion, or transcranial Doppler required.
Interventional Neuroradiology
Not required.	24/7 access to intracranial endovascular interventions such as mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke, and embolization of aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations.
Neurocritical Care
No requirement for a separate neuroscience intensive care unit.	Dedicated neuroscience intensive care unit staffed 24/7 with neurocritical care experts.
Neurosurgery
Access to neurosurgery within two hours.	On-site neurosurgical team available 24/7 to perform complex neurovascular procedures, such as aneurysm clipping, arteriovenous malformation resection and carotid endarterectomy.
Patient Transfers
Sends complex patients and those who require advanced intervention to comprehensive stroke centers.	Receives patients from primary stroke centers following stabilization.

Primary Stroke Center