scholarly journals Mobile Stroke Unit in the UK Healthcare System: Avoidance of Unnecessary Accident and Emergency Admissions

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-395
Author(s):  
Iris Q. Grunwald ◽  
Daniel J. Phillips ◽  
David Sexby ◽  
Viola Wagner ◽  
Martin Lesmeister ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Hospital Treatment ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Transient Ischaemic Attacks ◽  
Accident And Emergency ◽  
Mobile Stroke Unit ◽  
The Uk

Background: Acute stroke patients are usually transported to the nearest hospital regardless of their required level of care. This can lead to increased pressure on emergency departments and treatment delay. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the benefit of a mobile stroke unit (MSU) in the UK National Health Service (NHS) for reduction of hospital admissions. Methods: Prospective cohort audit observation with dispatch of the MSU in the East of England Ambulance Service area in Southend-on-Sea was conducted. Emergency patients categorized as code stroke and headache were included from June 5, 2018, to December 18, 2018. Rate of avoided admission to the accident and emergency (A&E) department, rate of admission directly to target ward, and stroke management metrics were assessed. Results: In 116 MSU-treated patients, the following diagnoses were made: acute stroke, n = 33 (28.4%); transient ischaemic attacks, n = 13 (11.2%); stroke mimics, n = 32 (27.6%); and other conditions, n = 38 (32.8%). Pre-hospital thrombolysis was administered to 8 of 28 (28.6%) ischaemic stroke patients. Pre-hospital diagnosis avoided hospital admission for 29 (25.0%) patients. As hospital treatment was indicated, 35 (30.2%) patients were directly triaged to the stroke unit, 1 patient (0.9%) even directly to the catheter laboratory. Thus, only 50 (43.1%) patients required transfer to the A&E department. Moreover, the MSU enabled thrombolysis with a median dispatch-to-needle time of 42 min (interquartile range, 40–60). Conclusion: This first deployment of an MSU in the UK NHS demonstrated improved triage decision-making for or against hospital admission and admission to the appropriate target ward, thereby reducing pressure on strained A&E departments.

scholarly journals Mobile stroke unit in the UK healthcare system: avoidance of unnecessary accident and emergency admissions

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 64-64
Author(s):  
Daniel Phillips ◽  
Iris Q. Grunwald ◽  
Silke Walter ◽  
Klaus Faßbender
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Hospital Treatment ◽  
Transient Ischaemic Attacks ◽  
Accident And Emergency ◽  
Mobile Stroke Unit ◽  
Catheter Laboratory ◽  
Uk National Health Service ◽  
The Uk

<sec id="s1"> Aims: The aim of the study was to explore the benefit of a mobile stroke unit (MSU) in the UK National Health Service (NHS) for reduction of hospital admissions. </sec> <sec id="s2"> Methods: Prospective cohort audit observation with dispatch of the MSU in the East of England Ambulance Service was conducted. Emergency patients categorised as code stroke and headache were included from 5 June to 18 December 2018. Rate of avoided admission to the accident and emergency (A&E) department, rate of admission directly to target ward and stroke management metrics were assessed. </sec> <sec id="s3"> Results: In 116 MSU-treated patients, the following diagnoses were made: acute stroke, n = 33 (28.4%); transient ischaemic attacks, n = 13 (11.2%); stroke mimics, n = 32 (27.6%); and other conditions, n = 38 (32.8%). Pre-hospital thrombolysis was administered to eight of 28 (28.6%) ischaemic stroke patients. Pre-hospital diagnosis avoided hospital admission for 29 (25.0%) patients. As hospital treatment was indicated, 35 (30.2%) patients were directly triaged to the stroke unit, one patient (0.9%) even directly to the catheter laboratory. Thus, only 50 (43.1%) patients required transfer to the A&E department. Moreover, the MSU enabled thrombolysis with a median dispatch-to-needle time of 42 mins (interquartile range, 40‐60). </sec> <sec id="s4"> Conclusion: This first deployment of an MSU in the UK NHS demonstrated improved triage decision-making for or against hospital admission and admission to the appropriate target ward, thereby reducing pressure on strained A&E departments. </sec>

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on Hospital Admission of Acute Stroke patients in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A T M Hasibul Hasan ◽  
Subir Chandra Das ◽  
Muhammad Sougatul Islam ◽  
Mohaimen Mansur ◽  
Md Shajedur Rahman Shawon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Neurologic Injury ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Hyperacute Stroke ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Male Female Ratio ◽  
The Mean

AbstractBackgroundWith the proposed pathophysiologic mechanism of neurologic injury by SARS COV-2 the frequency of stroke and henceforth the related hospital admissions were expected to rise. In this paper we investigate this presumption by comparing the frequency of admissions of stroke cases in Bangladesh before and during the pandemic.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of stroke admissions in a 100-bed stroke unit at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS&H) which is considerably a large stroke unit. We considered all the admitted cases from the 1st January to the 30th June, 2020. We used Poisson regressions to determine whether statistically significant changes in admission counts can be found before and after 25 March since when there is a surge in COVID-19 infections.ResultsA total of 1394 stroke patients got admitted during the study period. Half of the patients were older than 60 years, whereas only 2.6% were 30 years old or younger with a male-female ratio of 1.06:1. From January to March, 2020 the mean rate of admission was 302.3 cases per month which dropped to 162.3 cases per month from April to June with an overall reduction of 46.3% in acute stroke admission per month. In those two periods, reductions in average admission per month for ischemic stroke (IST), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and venous stroke (VS) were 45.5%, 37.2%, 71.4% and 39.0%, respectively. Based on weekly data, results of Poisson regressions confirm that the average number of admissions per week dropped significantly during the last three months of the sample period. Further, in the first three months, a total of 22 cases of hyperacute stroke management were done whereas in the last three months there was an 86.4% reduction in the number of hyperacute stroke patients getting reperfusion treatment. Only 38 patients (2.7%) were later found to be RT- PCR for SARS Cov-2 positive based on nasal swab testing.ConclusionOur study revealed more than fifty percent reduction in acute stroke admission during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is still elusive whether the reduction is related to the fear of getting infected by COVID-19 from hospitalization or the overall restriction on public movement and stay-home measures.

scholarly journals Pre-hospital triage of suspected acute stroke patients in a mobile stroke unit in the rural Alberta

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahesh P. Kate ◽  
Thomas Jeerakathil ◽  
Brian H. Buck ◽  
Khurshid Khan ◽  
Ali Zohair Nomani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
Hospital Care ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Local Hospital ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Mobile Stroke Unit

AbstractMobile Stroke Unit (MSU) expedites the delivery of intravenous thrombolysis in acute stroke patients. We further evaluated the functional outcome of patients shipped to a tertiary care centre or repatriated to local hospitals after triage by MSU in acute stroke syndrome in rural northern Alberta. Consecutive patients with suspected acute stroke syndrome were included. On the basis of neurology consultation and, Computed Tomography findings, patients, who were thrombolysed or needed advanced care were transported to the Comprehensive stroke center (CSC) (Triage to CSC group). Other patients were repatriated to local hospital care (Triage to LHC group). A total of 156 patients were assessed in MSU, 73 (46.8%) were female and the mean age was 66.6 ± 15 years. One hundred and eight (69.2%) patients, including 41 (26.3%) treated with thrombolysis were transported to the CSC (Triage to CSC group) and 48 (30.8%) were repatriated to local hospital care. The diagnosis made in MSU and final diagnosis were matching in 88% (95) and 91.7% (44, p = 0.39) in Triage to CSC and Triage to LHC groups respectively. Prehospital triage by MSU of acute stroke syndrome can reliably repatriate patients to the home hospital. The proposed model has the potential to triage patients according to their medical needs by enabling treatment in home hospitals whenever reasonable.

010 The melbourne mobile stroke unit substantially improves thrombolysis times and pre-hospital triage

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. A5.2-A5
Author(s):  
Henry Zhao ◽  
Skye Coote ◽  
Lauren Pesavento ◽  
Francesca Langenberg ◽  
Patricia Desmond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Hospital Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Royal Melbourne Hospital ◽  
Stroke Treatment ◽  
Mobile Stroke Unit

IntroductionThe Melbourne mobile stroke unit (MSU) project is the first Australian pre-hospital stroke service that delivers on-scene imaging, treatment and triage. The MSU vehicle consists of a Mercedes Sprinter-5 chassis with on-board CereTom 8-slice portable CT scanner and telemedicine capabilities. On-board crew consists of a neurologist/telemedicine, nurse, radiographer and two paramedics (advanced-life-support and mobile-intensive-care). The MSU service is co-dispatched within 20 km of Royal Melbourne Hospital. We describe the service activity since project launch.MethodsData are sourced from the Melbourne MSU registry, an ongoing prospectively collected database of all MSU dispatched cases since November 2017.ResultsIn the first 50 operational days, there were a total of n=255 dispatches (5.1/day), of which 47% of patients received on-scene attendance. On-scene CT was performed on 52% of all attendances. Of n=29 suspected ischaemic stroke cases<6 hours of symptom onset (24% of attended), n=10 (34%) received pre-hospital thrombolysis and n=6 (21%) were directed for endovascular thrombectomy. 30% of patients were thrombolysed within 90 min of symptom onset. A total of n=7 (14% of all stroke) patients were recommended to bypass the closest hospital to a specialist centre for endovascular, neurosurgical or other services. The median scene-to-thrombolysis time of 36.5 min was substantially better than Australian in-hospital averages and represented an estimated 30–45 min time saving compared to in-hospital treatment.DiscussionThe Melbourne MSU project shows that pre-hospital diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients is feasible and associated with substantial time saving in providing acute stroke treatment and triage. Future research will focus on optimising MSU dispatch and cost-effectiveness analysis.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on hospital admission of acute stroke patients in Bangladesh

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0240385
Author(s):  
A. T. M. Hasibul Hasan ◽  
Subir Chandra Das ◽  
Muhammad Sougatul Islam ◽  
Mohaimen Mansur ◽  
Md. Shajedur Rahman Shawon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Neurologic Injury ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Admission Rates ◽  
Hyperacute Stroke ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Male To Female

Background With the proposed pathophysiologic mechanism of neurologic injury by SARS CoV-2, the frequency of stroke and henceforth the related hospital admissions were expected to rise. This paper investigated this presumption by comparing the frequency of admissions of stroke cases in Bangladesh before and during the pandemic. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of stroke admissions in a 100-bed stroke unit at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS&H) which is considerably a large stroke unit. All the admitted cases from 1 January to 30 June 2020 were considered. Poisson regression models were used to determine whether statistically significant changes in admission rates can be found before and after 25 March since when there is a surge in COVID-19 infections. Results A total of 1394 stroke patients took admission in the stroke unit during the study period. Half of the patients were older than 60 years, whereas only 2.6% were 30 years old or younger. The male to female ratio is 1.06:1. From January to March 2020, the mean rate of admission was 302.3 cases per month, which dropped to 162.3 cases per month from April to June, with an overall reduction of 46.3% in acute stroke admission per month. In those two periods, reductions in average admission per month for ischemic stroke (IST), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and venous stroke (VS) were 45.5%, 37.2%, 71.4% and 39.0%, respectively. Based on weekly data, results of Poisson regressions confirm that the average number of admissions per week dropped significantly during the last three months of the sample period. Further, in the first three months, a total of 22 cases of hyperacute stroke management were done, whereas, in the last three months, there was an 86.4% reduction in the number of hyperacute stroke patients getting reperfusion treatment. Only 38 patients (2.7%) were later found to be RT-PCR SARS Cov-2 positive based on nasal swab testing. Conclusion This study revealed a more than fifty percent reduction in acute stroke admission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether the reduction is related to the fear of getting infected by COVID-19 from hospitalization or the overall restriction on public movement or stay-home measures remains unknown.

Retrospective Review and Proof of Concept of Asia’s First Mobile Stroke Unit Experience in Kovai Medical Center and Hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-123
Author(s):  
Mathew Cherian ◽  
Pankaj Mehta ◽  
Shriram Varadharajan ◽  
Santosh Poyyamozhi ◽  
Elango Swamiappan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Retrospective Review ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
First Year ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Mobile Stroke Unit ◽  
Clinical Care Pathway

Background: We review our initial experience of India’s and Asia’s first mobile stroke unit (MSU) following the completion of its first year of operation. We outline the clinical care pathway integrating the MSU services using a case example taking readers along our clinical care workflow while highlighting the challenges faced in organizing and optimizing such services in India. Methods: Retrospective review of data collected for all patients from March 2018 to February 2019 transported and treated within the MSU during the first year of its operation. Recent case example is reviewed highlighting complete comprehensive acute clinical care pathway from prehospital MSU services to advanced endovascular treatment with focus on challenges faced in developing nation for stroke care. Results: The MSU was dispatched and utilized for 14 patients with clinical symptoms of acute stroke. These patients were predominantly males (64%) with median age of 59 years. Ischemic stroke was seen in 7 patients, hemorrhagic in 6, and 1 patient was classified as stroke mimic. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator was administered to 3 patients within MSU. Most of the patients’ treatment was initiated within 2 h of symptom onset and with the median time of patient contact (rendezvous) following stroke being 55 mins. Conclusion: Retrospective review of Asia’s first MSU reveals its proof of concept in India. Although the number of patients availing treatment in MSU is low as compared to elsewhere in the world, increased public awareness with active government support including subsidizing treatment costs could accelerate development of optimal prehospital acute stroke care policy in India.

scholarly journals STROKE OUTCOMES IN NON-DIABETIC, DENOVO DIABETIC AND DIABETIC INDIAN PATIENTS MEASURED BY MODIFIED RANKIN SCALE: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Syed Junaid Ahmed ◽  
Abdur Rahman Mohd Masood ◽  
Safiya Sumana ◽  
Khadeer Ahmed Ghori ◽  
Javed Akhtar Ansari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Modified Rankin Scale ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Blood Glucose Levels ◽  
The Mean

Objective: Hyperglycemia is a known risk factor which adversely impacts the outcomes in stroke patients compared to patients with normal blood glucose levels. Patients suffering from an acute stroke who are previously nonhyperglycemic may show elevated blood glucose levels. The present study was designed to measure the outcomes in denovo diabetic and diabetic stroke patients compared to nondiabetics.Methods: A prospective observational study over a period of 6 mo, in which 103 patients were divided into three cohorts based on their blood glucose levels (nondiabetic, denovo diabetic and diabetics). The modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was calculated at in-hospital admission and discharge in these three cohorts. The initial and final scores were correlated and mean differences with respect to outcomes between all the three cohorts was calculated.Results: The mean mRS at the time of hospital admission in diabetics and nondiabetics was 3.6±0.81 and 3.3±0.78 which decreased to 2.8±0.95 and 2.9±0.83 respectively at the time of discharge. The mean mRS score in denovo diabetic stroke patients during in-hospital admission was 4±0.81 which was calculated as 3.7±0.85 at the time of discharge. The mean difference in mRS score in diabetics vs non-diabetics was found to be 0.73±0.8 (p =<0.001). The mean difference in mRS score of denovo diabetics vs non-diabetics and denovo diabetics vs diabetics was 0.30±0.63 and 0.38±0.61 respectively (p = 0.1).Conclusion: Results of these observational study in Indian patients, highlights the need for controlling hyperglycemia in stroke patients to improve outcomes and to prevent mortality arising out of acute stroke attacks.

Resource utilization and costs for treatment of stroke patients in an acute stroke unit in Greece

2016 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 8-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Persefoni Kritikou ◽  
Konstantinos Spengos ◽  
Nikolaos Zakopoulos ◽  
Yannis Tountas ◽  
John Yfantopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Resource Utilization ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Acute Stroke Unit

scholarly journals The mobile stroke unit and management of acute stroke in rural settings

2018 ◽  
Vol 190 (28) ◽  
pp. E855-E858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashfaq Shuaib ◽  
Thomas Jeerakathil
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
Mobile Stroke Unit ◽  
Rural Settings

Abstract TP372: Implementation of a New Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Protocol in a Stroke Unit

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Estela Sanjuan Menendez ◽  
Katherine E Santana Roman ◽  
Carlos A Molina ◽  
Pilar Giron Espot ◽  
Marc Ribo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
Intermittent Pneumatic Compression ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Dvt Prophylaxis ◽  
Hemodynamic Variables ◽  
Work Burden

Introduction: Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) has demonstrated to prevent deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and improve survival in acute stroke. Objective: We aimed to implement a new IPC protocol in our non-invasive stroke unit by applying IPC in the hyperacute stroke phase. Methods: All acute stroke patients with high DVT risk and contraindication for pharmacological DVT prophylaxis received IPC treatment. In ischemic stroke patients treated with reperfusion therapies, IPC protocol was planned for 24hours; intracraneal hemorrhage (ICH) patients were treated with IPC during 72hours. Clinical and hemodynamic variables were recorded. Nurses and patients were interviewed for satisfaction with the new protocol. Results: From March to August 2015, we enrolled 132 patients: 75 male (56.4%), mean age 71+/-15 y.o., ischemic strokes 103 (79.2%). Time from admission to IPC application 102+/-375min. Duration of treatment in ischemic patients was 37+/-21hours while in ICH was 44+/-26hours. No patient presented DVT in our series. We observed 6 deaths (4.5%) and 66 patients (56.4%) presented other complications, none of them related to IPC. Only at implementation phase nurses referred a relevant work burden with the new protocol compared to classical low-weighed-heparin DVT prophylaxis. After training it only takes a mean of 6±1.5 minutes to apply the treatment. Only 3 patients (2.3%) presented discomfort, 2 of them with early IPC drop off. Conclusion: IPC treatment is feasible, safe, and comfortable for stroke patients in the hyperacute phase. It increases work burden for nurses only at the implementation phase.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document