TF4UKR D2D Report – Dr Iryna Klopotovska

As part of the ESO Department-to-Department Visit Programme, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Inselspital in Bern, thanks to the kind invitation of Prof. Dr. med. Mirjam Heldner, Head of the Neurovascular Outpatients Clinics and Consultant at the Stroke Center, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern.

I was truly excited to observe each step of stroke care at Inselspital. I visited several departments, including the emergency department, stroke unit, sonography laboratory, and the neuroradiology department.

Each morning, I participated in the ward rounds in the stroke center, led by Prof. David Seiffge, who was incredibly kind to answer all of my questions and translate key points for me. We discussed treatment plans, laboratory tests, neuroimaging, and whether interventional treatment was necessary. The stroke team was highly coordinated, ensuring a swift diagnosis of stroke causes.

Typically, patients stay in the acute stroke unit for about three days before being transferred to the post-stroke department. I was amazed by the speed, quality of care, and attention to detail at Inselspital.

After the ward rounds, I frequently visited the emergency department, where I had the chance to follow a stroke patient’s journey from admission and neuroimaging to treatment decisions. The ambulance team informs the emergency department about the patient’s condition and arrival time in advance. The stroke team is large, and everyone is aware of their specific responsibilities, which ensures rapid and efficient healthcare delivery.

When a patient required thrombectomy or urgent stenting, I spent time in the neuroradiology department. Inselspital is equipped with two angiography machines, allowing both scheduled and urgent procedures to be performed simultaneously. I gained significant insights thanks to the entire team, especially Prof. Gralla, who kindly explained each step of the interventions during every procedure.

The neurosonography laboratory also caught my attention. Thanks to Prof. Heldner and Dr. Kateryna Antonenko, I had the chance to deepen my understanding of Doppler ultrasound for carotid arteries and the posterior circulation. I also became familiar with the transcranial Holter, which was new to me.

In addition to my professional experience, I had the chance to explore Switzerland, an incredibly beautiful country! I am deeply grateful to the stroke team at Inselspital for the informative and engaging experience. My sincere thanks to ESO and TF4UKR for providing this invaluable opportunity to visit one of Europe’s leading stroke departments. These two weeks have been an amazing experience, and I look forward to applying this knowledge to improve stroke care in Ukraine.