Consensus statement on ischaemic stroke care in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE To issue guidelines for the care of acute stroke in Hong Kong, with the target audience of all health care professionals who are involved in acute stroke care. PARTICIPANTS The Hong Kong Neurological Society and the Hong Kong Stroke Society. EVIDENCE The panel applied the 'rule of evidence' used by the United States Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. When there is insufficient evidence, the recommendation was based on customary practice and was circulated among the members and fellows of the two societies before coming to a consensus. CONSENSUS PROCESS Group meetings were held in 2002 to review the literature about acute care for patients with ischaemic stroke and to issue a consensus statement with reference to the local health care system. Participants of the meetings were appointed by the councils of The Hong Kong Neurological Society and the Hong Kong Stroke Society. The draft statement was circulated among the members and fellows of the two societies for comments before it was finalized. CONCLUSIONS Ischaemic stroke is a heavy health care burden to Hong Kong. The current consensus statement provides a framework to establish a multidisciplinary approach towards its acute management.