Skip to main content
  • Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms
  • Volunteer
  • Learn CPR
  • SHOP
American Heart Association heart and torch logo
American Heart Association
  • Donate Once
  • Donate Monthly
  • donateDonate
  • Close Menu

    Trending Search

    • find my cpr card
    • bls
    • ecard
    • pals
    • acls
  • Healthy Living
  • Health Topics
  • Professionals
  • Get Involved
  • Ways to Give
  • About Us
  • Learn CPR
  • In Your Community
  • Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms
  • Learn CPR
  • Volunteer
  • ShopHeart
  1. Home
  2. Professional Resources
  3. Quality Improvement
  4. Target: Stroke
  5. Target: Stroke Publications

Target: Stroke℠ Publications

Effect of the Use of Ambulance-Based Thrombolysis on Time to Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke(link opens in new window)

Martin Ebinger, MD; Benjamin Winter, MD; Matthias Wendt, MD; Joachim E. Weber, MD; Carolin Waldschmidt, MD; Michal Rozanski, MD; Alexander Kunz, MD; Peter Koch, MD; Philipp A. Kellner, MD; Daniel Gierhake, MD; Kersten Villringer, MD; Jochen B. Fiebach, MD; Ulrike Grittner, PhD; Andreas Hartmann, MD; Bruno-Marcel Mackert, MD; Matthias Endres, MD; Heinrich J. Audebert, MD

This study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), shows that Target: Stroke results in faster, appropriate treatment for stroke patients – ultimately translating to improved patients outcomes, including fewer deaths and less disability.

Initially presented at the International Stroke Conference in February 2013, the study found there was a significant increase in the number of eligible stroke patients receiving timely tPA treatment among Target: Stroke hospitals. The average door-to-needle time dropped from 77 minutes before the initiative was implemented in 2010 to 59 minutes by the end of the study period. More importantly, in-hospital deaths among treated patients dropped 2 percent, and more patients were able to recover at home rather than being transferred to a nursing or rehab facility.

Additionally, the study was recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association as one of the top advances in heart disease and stroke research in 2014 and was widely covered by national media, including USA Today(link opens in new window), Modern Medicine(link opens in new window) and Health Day News.(link opens in new window)

Improving Door-to-Needle Times in Acute Ischemic Stroke: The Design and Rationale for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Target: Stroke Initiative(link opens in new window)

Gregg C. Fonarow, MD; Eric E. Smith, MD, MPH; Jeffrey L. Saver, MD; Mathew J. Reeves, PhD; Adrian F. Hernandez, MD, MHS; Eric D. Peterson, MD, MPH; Ralph L. Sacco, MD; Lee H. Schwamm, MD

The article describes the design and rationale of Target: Stroke.

Learn more about other Quality Research Publications


Last Reviewed: Jun 13, 2018

X formerly known as Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email Print

Quality Improvement

Quality Improvement
  • Target: Stroke
    • Clinical Tools and Resources
    • Introducing Target: Stroke Phase III
    • Target: Stroke Honor Roll
    • Target: Stroke Publications

Related Articles

Target: Stroke℠ Honor Roll

Clinical Tools and Resources

Target: Stroke Phase III

*All health/medical information on this website has been reviewed and approved by the American Heart Association, based on scientific research and American Heart Association guidelines. Find more information on our content editorial process.

American Heart Association

National Center
7272 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75231

Customer Service
1-800-AHA-USA-1
1-800-242-8721

Contact Us

Hours
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. CT 
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT
Closed on Sundays

Tax Identification Number
13-5613797

About Us

  • About the AHA/ASA
  • Our Impact
  • Annual Report
  • AHA Financial Information
  • International Programs
  • Latest Heart and Stroke News
  • AHA/ASA Media Newsroom
  • Careers

Get Involved

  • Donate Now
  • Make a Memorial Gift
  • Ways to Give
  • Advocate
  • Volunteer
  • Go Red For Women
  • ShopHeart
  • ShopCPR

Our Sites

  • American Heart Association
  • American Stroke Association
  • CPR & ECC
  • Professional Heart Daily
  • More Sites
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X formerly known as Twitter
  • Tik Tok
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • National Health Council Standards of Excellence Certification Program page for Standards of Excellence
  • Better Business Bureau page for American Heart Association
  • Charity Navigator Home
  • Secured by Sectigo page for SSL certificates
  • AHA Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Copyright Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Linking Policy
  • Whistleblower Policy
  • Content Editorial Guidelines
  • Suppliers & Providers
  • State Fundraising Notices


©2025 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
The American Heart Association is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
*Red Dress ™ DHHS, Go Red ™ AHA ; National Wear Red Day® is a registered trademark.

×
American Heart Association logo

This link is provided for convenience only and is not an endorsement of either the linked-to entity or any product or service.

Proceed