Significant variability exists in the types of informed consent for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV rtPA) in acute stroke, based on hospital bed size and treatment windows across New York State Department of Health designated stroke centers, a recent study found. A 13-question survey stratified by 0- to 3-hour and 3.0- to 4.5-hour treatment windows was used to determine the type of consent or if no consent was required. Of 117 hospitals, 111 responded (95%). Researchers found:

• All 111 hospitals provided treatment within the 3-hour window, whereas 97 (87%) provided treatment beyond the 3-hour window.
• For hospitals that did provide treatment, there was a difference between the percentages of hospitals requiring consent (verbal or written) within 3 hours (82%) and beyond 3 hours (92%).
• Of the hospitals requiring consent, there was a difference in the type of consent: 31 of 91 (34%) required written consent within the 3-hour window, whereas 57 of 89 (64%) required written consent beyond the 3-hour window.