Patients taken to a Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) are reviewed by a specialist stroke team who assess whether they have had a stroke and order tests such as a brain scan to confirm a diagnosis.
Stroke can be difficult to diagnose and ~30% of patients with suspected stroke will be given a different diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with a stroke <4 hours ago may be suitable to receive a clot busting treatment called thrombolysis. This will be given in A&E by the stroke team, and patients are then admitted into the HASU stroke ward for ongoing care.
Patients will normally spend up to 3 days after their stroke at a HASU receiving specialist stroke care, also called the hyper acute bundle. You can find out more about acute stroke care in hospital on the Stroke Association website.