The Regional Stroke Triage Plan augments the State Plan by establishing a uniform set of criteria for the pre-hospital and inter-hospital triage care and transport of acute stroke patients within the Lord Fairfax Emergency Medical Services Council region. This plan addresses patients experiencing an "Acute Stroke". Acute stroke as defined within the plan is measured by a cerebral event with onset of any one symptom within the three hours prior to a patient assessment being performed. A focus of this plan is to facilitate the early recognition of patients suffering from acute stroke and to expedite their transport to a Designated Stroke Center capable of providing definitive care within an appropriate time and provide necessary guidance.