Changes in stroke care at Auckland Hospital between 1996 and 2001

In 1996, we performed a descriptive audit of stroke care in Auckland Hospital. Since then, a mobile stroke team has been established. We have repeated the 1996 audit to assess changes in stroke management. From 1 June to 30 September 2001, information was prospectively recorded for all patients with stroke. There were 177 strokes in 175 patients (92 men, mean age 70.9, standard deviation [SD] 14.9 years). Ninety-seven percent of patients had cerebral imaging (median 4.5 hours; interquartile range [IQR] 2.7-11.6). Acute aspirin was given to 78% of patients in 2001 and 40% in 1996 (p