[Protected Code Stroke during the COVID-19 Pandemic].

ABSTRACT

The perfect defense from SARS-CoV-2 infection prioritizes triaging acute stroke patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, the Japan Stroke Society (JSS) urgently announced a protected code stroke (PCS), JSS-PCS, informing all medical staff of the essential requirements. Patients under investigation should be accepted under PCS. The points of the proposed PCS are (1) wearing reliable PPE, (2) putting of surgical mask on the patient, and (3) response with the minimum required number of personnel. It is strongly recommended to prepare individualized protocols for PCS in each stroke center.