Publication:

Bundled care to optimize outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage: action for effective implementation

Patients who experience acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are not managed with urgency or level of coordinated care as those with acute ischemic stroke. This is largely due to the lack of any proven treatment for ICH, which has led to therapeutic nihilism and a low threshold for the withdrawal of active care in these patients. The third Intensive Care Bundle with Blood Pres sure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Haemorrhage Trial (INTERACT3) is a landmark study which used a novel, quality improvement, implementation design across 122 hospitals in 10 countries, to show that the early intervention of bundled care with time- and target-based metrics, can substantially improve outcomes for patients who suffer ICH. We advocate the widespread adoption of an early bundle of care focused on urgent time-based metrics for the control of elevated blood pressure and other abnormal physiological parameters, and the emergency reversal of anticoagulation, for patients with ICH. Such coordinated interdisciplinary stroke care will optimise the chances of patients all over the world surviving free of major disability after suffering an ICH.