ABSTRACT
Background: Acute stroke unit care is proven to reduce mortality and morbidity. During the COVID-19 crisis, we must guarantee the provision of acute stroke care and optimize care protocols to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and rationalize the use of hospital resources. Our hospital developed an adapted protocol which includes individual isolation room equipped with a monitor connected to the central monitoring unit of the stroke unit, and a camera that allowed patient supervision from the control nursing unit for stroke patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. We present a descriptive study of our experience. Methods: Observational, extensive, and transversal study. Patients admitted to the monitored isolation room of our stroke unit between November-2020 to december-2021. Results: 201 patients, 51,7.% women. 76.1% ischemic stroke, of which 10% had been treated with thrombolysis and 2.9% with thrombectomy. 90.3% without infectious symptoms. In 6.2% the Covid infection was known before their arrival at the emergency room, in 3 patient it was detected in the emergency room and in 4 during their stay in the isolation room. No contagions were detected within the stroke unit after the introduction of this measure. Only 10,1% of the patients stayed in the room for more than 24 hours. Camera detect care needs in 22% of the patients. The destination at discharge was conventional stroke unit in 83.4% of the patients. Conclusions: an isolation room monitored and controlled by video surveillance is an effective alternative to prevent infections in the stroke unit.