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BACKGROUND: Utilization of systemic IV tPA in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) requires weight-based dosing and a standardized infusion rate. We describe the frequency and types of tPA administration errors made in a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) and at stroke receiving facilities prior to transfer. METHODS: Using a prospectively-collected stroke quality database, all patients included received IV tPA from 2010-11 either at the CSC or prior to transfer (“drip-and-ship”). Retrospective data collection included pharmacy, air transport, and nursing records. RESULTS: We identified 131 tPA-treated AIS cases: 51% female; mean age 68 years; 33% treated at CSC; and 67% treated pre-transfer (including 16% by telestroke) from 22 facilities. Treatment of stroke mimics was more common at the CSC (12% vs 9%, p=NS). Pre-tPA blood pressure was more frequently not recorded in transfers (64% vs 7%, p 60 minutes (14%), total dose >90mg (5%), suspension/discontinuation of infusion (5%), or delayed tPA delivery to bedside (4%). Body weight discrepancies between institutions were frequent among transfers (42%). Parenchymal hematomas (PH) occurred in 7.5% of all patients (or 6.2% with tPA errors, 9.1% without errors); in-hospital death occurred in 10.7% overall (or 9.2% with errors, 12.1% without errors). PH, mortality and mRS did not differ between CSC-treated patients and transferred patients nor between those with and without errors. See table. CONCLUSION: tPA errors were very common in our large, regional stroke system, particularly among patients treated as “drip-and-ships”. Though in this study errors were not associated with outcomes, CSCs should include tPA dosing/administration education and quality assurance mechanisms within their systems in order to reduce avoidable, systematic errors.