Hospital Neurology wins Gold Angel for stroke care

The Neurology Service of the General Hospital of Fuerteventura has received this European recognition for its performance in the last quarter of 2025, during which it handled 36 Stroke Code activations. Over the past year, the hospital admitted more than 200 patients with this condition.

The Neurology Service of the General Hospital of Fuerteventura has been honored with the Angels Gold award, granted by the European Stroke Organization. The prize acknowledges the department’s outstanding results in the final quarter of 2025, a period in which the team responded to 36 Stroke Code activations.

The award distinguishes hospitals that demonstrate sustained excellence in stroke care, evaluating criteria such as rapid response times, correct application of reperfusion therapies, and systematic clinical data management. Facilities that earn the Angels Gold meet stringent quality standards and show a continuous commitment to improvement and coordinated care.

The recognition highlights the ability of the island’s main hospital to provide a swift and effective response to a time‑critical disease that remains one of the leading causes of adult disability.

More Than 200 Patients Admitted in 2025

• Throughout 2025, the Neurology Service treated over 200 stroke patients who required hospital admission.
• Approximately 140 of them were admitted after a Stroke Code activation, a protocol that coordinates the actions of multiple specialties—both pre‑hospital and in‑hospital—when symptoms began less than 24 hours earlier.

Case mix:

• ~80 % were ischemic strokes, caused by a clot blocking a cerebral artery and interrupting blood flow to part of the brain. When patients arrive within the first hours, they can benefit from reperfusion therapies that restore cerebral circulation.
• ~20 % were hemorrhagic strokes, resulting from the rupture of a brain blood vessel and subsequent intracranial bleeding. Treatment for these cases focuses on controlling bleeding and blood pressure, reversing anticoagulant therapy when appropriate, and preventing complications from increased intracranial pressure.

In both stroke types, rapid activation of the Stroke Code and coordinated action by the healthcare team are decisive for improving prognosis, reducing mortality, and minimizing long‑term sequelae.

Protocol and Warning Signs

The Stroke Code, implemented throughout the Canary Islands, enables a fast response from the moment the emergency system is alerted. Suspected stroke cases should trigger a 112 call, which guarantees transport to the most suitable centre and immediate preparation of the emergency team and the dedicated stroke unit.

The Neurology Service of the General Hospital of Fuerteventura handles 30–40 Stroke Code activations each quarter on average.

Warning signs that should raise suspicion of a stroke:

• Sudden loss of strength or sensation on one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking or understanding simple sentences
• Sudden visual disturbances, double vision, or loss of vision
• Severe, unexplained headache
• Vertigo, loss of balance, or coordination problems

Early recognition and prompt activation of the Stroke Code are essential to ensure timely treatment and optimal outcomes.