The aim of the study is to monitor if specialized stroke nurses as team partners in the ED can reduce hospital acquired infections. The study is designed as pre- post-intervention study in which specialized SU nurses partner with ED nursing staff to asses and screen stroke admissions in the ED.

An intervention study comprised of 1) a primary registry database component and 2) a secondary questionnaire based quantitative evaluation . The intervention study includes a 3-month baseline observational period followed by a 7-month baseline data collection period, a 2-month intervention implementation phase, and a 3-month intervention observational period followed by 7-month intervention data collection period.

An intervention, where dedicated stroke nurses handle acute care of stroke and TIA patient in the ED prior to admission to a dedicated stroke unit will take place in the timeframe of 11-19:00 hrs, 7 days a week. Notably, the intervention is set to be integrated into clinical practice on a permanent basis after end of study.

Data for all stroke patients admitted to the ED at HGH are collected during the 3-month baseline and intervention observational periods. Fulfilment of Danish Stroke Quality Program (DAP) quality indicators is monitored as follows - use of dysphagia screen (GUSS), mobilization within day of ED admission and transfer to SU. Additional nursing interventions monitored in the ED are: Use of nasogastric catheter, use of bladder scan and intermittent catheterization, frequency of temperature monitoring and use of anti-pyretics, acute phase monitoring of blood-pressure every 2 hours, use of Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) score.

Outcomes are monitored in hospital and at visits to the out patient clinic, as well as by registry.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients referred to the ED at Herlev Hospital with a diagnosis of stroke or TIA from 11 Am to 7 PM
• patients fulfilling one of the following ICD-10 codes at discharge: ICH: I61, cerebral infarction; I63, unspecified: I64, TIA: G45 and a scheduled follow-up appointment at the outpatient clinic Herlev Hospital

Exclusion criteria:

• Patients transferred from other hospitals or stroke units
• Patients elegible for thrombolysis or thrombectomy at time of admission

All patients admitted with a diagnosis of acute stroke or TIA and candidate to specific stroke observation within the following 24 hours minimum.

Data for all stroke/TIA patients admitted to the ED at HGH are retrieved during the 3-month baseline and a 3 month intervention observational period during admission and at regular clinical follow-up.

Individual participants data cannot be shared with 3rd parties as these data are protected by danish law.