The Saxony-Anhalt North Neurovascular Network Takes Stock - Innovations Strengthen Stroke Care
“Since the founding of the Neurovascular Network of Northern Saxony-Anhalt (“NeuvaNet SAN”) in 2025, significant progress has been made in stroke care in the region. A significant milestone is the pilot operation of the digital platform “TRAIL.” This platform, unique in Germany, combines a real-time dashboard with blockchain-based (forgery-proof) documentation and AI-supported quality analysis, and is intended to eventually be made available to all network partners.
Partner hospitals and network participants of the Saxony-Anhalt North Neurovascular Network (“NeuvaNet SAN”) at the network meeting on the campus of Magdeburg University Medical Center. Photo: Melitta Schubert / UMMD
Network Meeting
On March 12, 2026, the Neurovascular Network of Northern Saxony-Anhalt hosted a network meeting. A diverse program featured presentations and discussions on current developments and innovations in regional stroke care. During the event, two deputy network spokespersons were elected. The elected deputies are Dr. Cornelius Werner, Chief Physician of the Department of Neurology and Geriatrics at Johanniter Hospital Stendal, and Dr. Tobia J. Müller, Chief Physician of the Department of Neurology at Harzklinikum Dorothea Christiane Erxleben.
Prof. Dr. Hans-Jochen Heinze, Medical Director of Magdeburg University Hospital, welcomed the participants. Subsequently, Prof. Dr. Daniel Behme, Director of the University Clinic for Neuroradiology, and Dr. Jens Neumann from the University Clinic for Neurology—both medical project leaders—presented the network’s current project status.
Milestones in Stroke Care
Over the past year, the network has achieved several structural and organizational advances. A milestone was the first-ever performance of a mechanical thrombectomy by a mobile neuroradiological intervention team outside of Magdeburg University Hospital at the Harzklinikum Dorothea Christiane Erxleben in Wernigerode. This demonstrated that highly specialized stroke treatments are also possible close to home at partner hospitals.
Another step was the establishment of a supra-regional neurovascular board. In this interdisciplinary committee, complex cases are discussed jointly and treatment decisions are coordinated across locations.
Prof. Heinze emphasized: “Saxony-Anhalt is one of the federal states with the oldest population in Germany and records around 10,000 strokes annually. This makes seamless, well-coordinated care all the more important. Our goal is to significantly shorten response times and get patients into the best possible treatment more quickly. The cross-clinic network structure lays the foundation for this by pooling expertise and efficiently linking treatment pathways.”
Networked Care Structure
“The joint network aims to sustainably improve care for patients with neurovascular diseases, particularly in cases of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Through close collaboration among the regional hospitals currently participating, a networked care structure has emerged that enables rapid diagnosis and guideline-based therapy,” said Prof. Behme.
Key components include a network-wide real-time stroke dashboard for visualizing active cases, AI-supported alerts for large-vessel occlusions, and cross-site monitoring of treatment pathways. Additionally, a decentralized neurovascular board enables the secure, encrypted discussion of complex cases.
Digital Innovation: The “TRAIL” Platform
Another step forward is the pilot operation of the “TRAIL” platform—the first of its kind in Germany—developed by Dr. Neumann at Magdeburg University Hospital, which combines a real-time dashboard with tamper-proof documentation and AI-supported quality analysis. In the next project phase, the system is to be expanded to all network partners.
“Until now, hospitals had to actively report their data to central registries, often weeks later, in analog form and without any guarantee of data integrity. TRAIL turns this principle on its head: Documentation is created in real time directly within the clinical workflow, stored tamper-proof via blockchain-like technology, and for the first time enables cross-site comparability of treatment quality across the entire network,” says Dr. Neumann.
Organizational Developments
Important organizational measures have also been implemented. These include updating common Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), a procedure for the accelerated secondary transfer of stroke patients, and the further development of a FAST-Score app for emergency medical services. This enables a faster assessment of potential strokes.
To further strengthen collaboration with the preclinical sector, an emergency medical services event was also held under the leadership of Prof. Behme and Dr. Neumann, where current developments and challenges in stroke care were discussed.
Background Information
Neurovascular Network Saxony-Anhalt North
The network’s official launch event took place on June 11, 2025. During the event, the framework agreement between the participating partner institutions was signed.
The University Hospital Magdeburg A.ö.R.—with the University Clinic for Neuroradiology, the University Clinic for Neurology, and the University Clinic for Neurosurgery—assumes the role of coordinating center within the network. The Neurovascular Network includes several hospital operators as well as other healthcare providers in Northern Saxony-Anhalt. Expansion to include additional partner clinics or institutions is possible at any time.
(http://neuvanetsan.med.ovgu.de)
Tasks and Goals of the Network
- Interdisciplinary case conferences within the neurovascular board
- Rapid diagnosis and treatment of strokes
- Telemedical consultation between partner hospitals
- Development of uniform treatment standards and SOPs
- Quality assurance and continuing education
- Coordination of transfers and interventions within the network
Background: Stroke
A stroke is usually caused by the blockage of an artery in the brain. As a result, the affected brain tissue is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen and may suffer permanent damage. Therefore, the faster treatment begins, the greater the chances of avoiding permanent damage.
If a stroke is suspected, the affected person must be taken to a specialized stroke unit as quickly as possible.
Typical symptoms include sudden weakness, paralysis, or numbness on one side of the body, visual disturbances, and problems with language or speech. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in Germany and is also the most common cause of permanent disability in adulthood.