Author Information
Phatthira Thongphlat, Centers of Vector Born Disease Control 11.3 Surat Thani Province, ThailandVallop Ditsuwan, Thaksin University, Thailand
Tum Boonrod, Thaksin University, Thailand
Phatlapha Kaewnu, Ban Khao-Kwan Sub-district Health Promotion Hospital, Thailand
Supawadee Suwanno, Songkhla Hospital, Thailand
Thanittha Ditsuwan, Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 12 Songkhla, Thailand
Abstract
Background: Stroke is a critical public health issue in Thailand, where timely treatment is essential but often remains unmet. This study evaluated the impact of a Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) at Cha-uat Hospital, a community hospital. We examined its effect on stroke care access, diagnosis, and overall outcomes across three distinct phases: before MSU implementation, during its initial operation, and after it was fully established.
Methods: This multiple cross-sectional study analysed data from 478 stroke patients. Patients were grouped into three periods: 116 before MSU, 176 during its implementation, and 186 after full operation. Patient data from the hospital's health information systems focused on service access and clinical improvements.
Results: MSU implementation led to a significant increase in overall stroke patient numbers (from 116 to 186) and enhanced diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Crucially, referrals to higher-level hospitals sharply declined (from 116 to 10 cases), indicating effective on-site care. The healthcare network also expanded, providing services to previously unserved community hospitals. However, while timely patient arrivals saw a slight, non-significant improvement (from 46.55% to 49.46%), a major challenge was the continued preference for self-transport over MSU/Emergency Medical Services.
Conclusion: The MSU effectively increased stroke service access, improved early diagnosis, and expanded the healthcare network. Yet, overcoming behavioural barriers to timely access and encouraging emergency transport use remains critical. Further research on cost-effectiveness and influencing factors is recommended to optimize future stroke care delivery.
Paper Information
Conference: ACSS2025Stream: Environmental and Health Sciences
This paper is part of the ACSS2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Thongphlat P., Ditsuwan V., Boonrod T., Kaewnu P., Suwanno S., & Ditsuwan T. (2025) Improving Stroke Care Access With a Mobile Stroke Unit: Evidence From a Community Hospital in Southern Thailand ISSN: 2186-2303 – The Asian Conference on the Social Sciences 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 525-538) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-2303.2025.44
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-2303.2025.44
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