scholarly journals Risk Assessment of the Door‐In‐Door‐Out Process at Primary Stroke Centers for Patients With Acute Stroke Requiring Transfer to Comprehensive Stroke Centers

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane L. Holl ◽  
Rebeca Khorzad ◽  
Rebecca Zobel ◽  
Amy Barnard ◽  
Maureen Hillman ◽  
...  

Background Patients with acute stroke at non‐ or primary stroke centers (PSCs) are transferred to comprehensive stroke centers for advanced treatments that reduce disability but experience significant delays in treatment and increased adjusted mortality. This study reports the results of a proactive, systematic, risk assessment of the door‐in‐door‐out process and its application to solution design. Methods and Results A learning collaborative (clinicians, patients, and caregivers) at 2 PSCs and 3 comprehensive stroke centers in Chicago, Illinois participated in a failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis to identify steps in the process; failures of each step, underlying causes; and to characterize each failure’s frequency, impact, and safeguards using standardized scores to calculate risk priority and criticality numbers for ranking. Targets for solution design were selected among the highest‐ranked failures. The failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis process map and risk table were completed during in‐person and virtual sessions. Failure to detect severe stroke/large‐vessel occlusion on arrival at the PSC is the highest‐ranked failure and can lead to a 45‐minute door‐in‐door‐out delay caused by failure to obtain a head computed tomography and computed tomography angiogram together. Lower risk failures include communication problems and delays within the PSC team and across the PSC comprehensive stroke center and paramedic teams. Seven solution prototypes were iteratively designed and address 4 of the 10 highest‐ranked failures. Conclusions The failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis identified and characterized previously unrecognized failures of the door‐in‐door‐out process. Use of a risk‐informed approach for solution design is novel for stroke and should mitigate or eliminate the failures.

Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 97 (20 Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. S25-S33
Author(s):  
Anna Ramos ◽  
Waldo R. Guerrero ◽  
Natalia Pérez de la Ossa

Purpose of the ReviewThis article reviews prehospital organization in the treatment of acute stroke. Rapid access to an endovascular therapy (EVT) capable center and prehospital assessment of large vessel occlusion (LVO) are 2 important challenges in acute stroke therapy. This article emphasizes the use of transfer protocols to assure the prompt access of patients with an LVO to a comprehensive stroke center where EVT can be offered. Available prehospital clinical tools and novel technologies to identify LVO are also discussed. Moreover, different routing paradigms like first attention at a local stroke center (“drip and ship”), direct transfer of the patient to an endovascular center (“mothership”), transfer of the neurointerventional team to a local primary center (“drip and drive”), mobile stroke units, and prehospital management communication tools all aimed to improve connection and coordination between care levels are reviewed.Recent FindingsLocal observational data and mathematical models suggest that implementing triage tools and bypass protocols may be an efficient solution. Ongoing randomized clinical trials comparing drip and ship vs mothership will elucidate which is the more effective routing protocol.SummaryPrehospital organization is critical in realizing maximum benefit from available therapies in acute stroke. The optimal transfer protocols directed to accelerate EVT are under study, and more accurate prehospital triage tools are needed. To improve care in the prehospital setting, efficient tools based on patient factors, local geography, and hospital capability are needed. These tools would optimally lead to individualized real-time decision-making.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Parnianpour ◽  
Rebeca Khorzad ◽  
Christopher Richards ◽  
William Meurer ◽  
Amy Barnard ◽  
...  

Introduction: Given the time-critical nature of acute stroke, reducing door-in-door-out (DIDO) times at primary stroke centers (PSC) prior to transfer to comprehensive stroke centers (CSC) is a priority. We applied Failure Modes Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) to the DIDO process at a PSC, an engineering methodology widely used in other industries, to understand the most critical areas negatively impacting DIDO time. Methods: We collected data during 2 in-person and 5 virtual Learning Collaborative (LC) meetings, enhanced by electronic surveys. The LC team consisted of 18 clinicians affiliated with 6 different healthcare systems including 3 PSCs and 3 CSCs, 2 participants from EMS agencies, and 5 patients and caregivers. The LC team created a DIDO process map with individual steps. For each step, we asked LC members to identify ways in which the process could be performed incorrectly, incompletely, skipped or delayed (failures) along with the clinical impact, their causes, frequency and existing safeguards. Each clinical impact, frequency and safeguard was scored from 1-10 (lowest to highest). Frequency, severity, and safeguards scores were multiplied to calculate a criticality score to rank the top DIDO process failures. Results: Among 61 DIDO process steps, the top 12 steps with the highest criticality score represented 40.4% of the sum of criticalities (Figure). Among these, the highest criticality scores were for: 1) Delay in the decision to obtain CTA; 2) Delay in stroke recognition by the EMS team; 3) Delay in stroke identification at triage. Conclusion: We identified opportunities to re-design the DIDO process for acute stroke. Existing safeguards for the identified “high” criticality failures rely on human factors (e.g., multiple visual inspections, provider’s experience). There is a need to develop better stroke identification tools and automatic triggers within the DIDO process to increase timely stroke transfers from PSC to CSCs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 469-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Garcia-Esperon ◽  
Andrew Bivard ◽  
Christopher Levi ◽  
Mark Parsons

Background Computed tomography perfusion is becoming widely accepted and used in acute stroke treatment. Computed tomography perfusion provides pathophysiological information needed in the acute decision making. Moreover, computed tomography perfusion shows excellent correlation with diffusion-weighted imaging and perfusion-weighted sequences to evaluate core and penumbra volumes. Multimodal computed tomography perfusion has practical advantages over magnetic resonance imaging, including availability, accessibility, and speed. Nevertheless, it bears some limitations, as the limited accuracy for small ischemic lesions or brainstem ischemia. Interpretation of the computed tomography perfusion maps can sometimes be difficult. The stroke neurologist faces complex or atypical cases of cerebral ischemia and stroke mimics, and needs to decide whether the “lesions” on computed tomography perfusion are real or artifact. Aims The purpose of this review is, based on clinical cases from a comprehensive stroke center, to describe the added value that computed tomography perfusion can provide to the stroke physician in the acute phase before a treatment decision is made.


Author(s):  
Juha-Pekka Pienimäki ◽  
Jyrki Ollikainen ◽  
Niko Sillanpää ◽  
Sara Protto

Abstract Purpose Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the first-line treatment in acute stroke patients presenting with large vessel occlusion (LVO). The efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) prior to MT is being contested. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of MT without IVT in patients with no contraindications to IVT presenting directly to a tertiary stroke center with acute anterior circulation LVO. Materials and Methods We collected the data of 106 acute stroke patients who underwent MT in a single high-volume stroke center. Patients with anterior circulation LVO eligible for IVT and directly admitted to our institution who subsequently underwent MT were included. We recorded baseline clinical, laboratory, procedural, and imaging variables and technical, imaging, and clinical outcomes. The effect of intravenous thrombolysis on 3-month clinical outcome (mRS) was analyzed with univariate tests and binary and ordinal logistic regression analysis. Results Fifty-eight out of the 106 patients received IVT + MT. These patients had 2.6-fold higher odds of poorer clinical outcome in mRS shift analysis (p = 0.01) compared to MT-only patients who had excellent 3-month clinical outcome (mRS 0–1) three times more often (p = 0.009). There were no significant differences between the groups in process times, mTICI, or number of hemorrhagic complications. A trend of less distal embolization and higher number of device passes was observed among the MT-only patients. Conclusions MT without prior IVT was associated with an improved overall three-month clinical outcome in acute anterior circulation LVO patients.


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-017050
Author(s):  
Laura C C van Meenen ◽  
Nerea Arrarte Terreros ◽  
Adrien E Groot ◽  
Manon Kappelhof ◽  
Ludo F M Beenen ◽  
...  

BackgroundPatients with a stroke who are transferred to a comprehensive stroke center for endovascular treatment (EVT) often undergo repeated neuroimaging prior to EVT.ObjectiveTo evaluate the yield of repeating imaging and its effect on treatment times.MethodsWe included adult patients with a large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke who were referred to our hospital for EVT by primary stroke centers (2016–2019). We excluded patients who underwent repeated imaging because primary imaging was unavailable, incomplete, or of insufficient quality. Outcomes included treatment times and repeated imaging findings.ResultsOf 677 transferred LVO stroke, 551 were included. Imaging was repeated in 165/551 patients (30%), mostly because of clinical improvement (86/165 (52%)) or deterioration (40/165 (24%)). Patients who underwent repeated imaging had higher door-to-groin-times than patients without repeated imaging (median 43 vs 27 min, adjusted time difference: 20 min, 95% CI 15 to 25). Among patients who underwent repeated imaging because of clinical improvement, the LVO had resolved in 50/86 (58%). In patients with clinical deterioration, repeated imaging led to refrainment from EVT in 3/40 (8%). No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages (sICH) were identified. Ultimately, 75/165 (45%) of patients with repeated imaging underwent EVT compared with 326/386 (84%) of patients without repeated imaging (p<0.01).ConclusionsNeuroimaging was repeated in 30% of patients with an LVO stroke and resulted in a median treatment delay of 20 minutes. In patients with clinical deterioration, no sICH were detected and repeated imaging rarely changed the indication for EVT. However, in more than half of patients with clinical improvement, the LVO had resolved, resulting in refrainment from EVT.


2021 ◽  
pp. 028418512110068
Author(s):  
Yu Hang ◽  
Zhen Yu Jia ◽  
Lin Bo Zhao ◽  
Yue Zhou Cao ◽  
Huang Huang ◽  
...  

Background Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO) were usually transferred from a primary stroke center (PSC) to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) for endovascular treatment (drip-and-ship [DS]), while driving the doctor from a CSC to a PSC to perform a procedure is an alternative strategy (drip-and-drive [DD]). Purpose To compare the efficacy and prognosis of the two strategies. Material and Methods From February 2017 to June 2019, 62 patients with LVO received endovascular treatment via the DS and DD models and were retrospectively analyzed from the stroke alliance based on our CSC. Primary endpoint was door-to-reperfusion (DTR) time. Secondary endpoints included puncture-to-recanalization (PTR) time, modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) rates at the end of the procedure, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. Results Forty-one patients received the DS strategy and 21 patients received the DD strategy. The DTR time was significantly longer in the DS group compared to the DD group (315.5 ± 83.8 min vs. 248.6 ± 80.0 min; P < 0.05), and PTR time was shorter (77.2 ± 35.9 min vs. 113.7 ± 69.7 min; P = 0.033) compared with the DD group. Successful recanalization (mTICI 2b/3) was achieved in 89% (36/41) of patients in the DS group and 86% (18/21) in the DD group ( P = 1.000). Favorable functional outcomes (mRS 0–2) were observed in 49% (20/41) of patients in the DS group and 71% (15/21) in the DD group at 90 days ( P = 0.089). Conclusion Compared with the DS strategy, the DD strategy showed more effective and a trend of better clinical outcomes for AIS patients with LVO.


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2021-017365
Author(s):  
Mais Al-Kawaz ◽  
Christopher Primiani ◽  
Victor Urrutia ◽  
Ferdinand Hui

BackgroundCurrent efforts to reduce door to groin puncture time (DGPT) aim to optimize clinical outcomes in stroke patients with large vessel occlusions (LVOs). The RapidAI mobile application (Rapid Mobile App) provides quick access to perfusion and vessel imaging in patients with LVOs. We hypothesize that utilization of RapidAI mobile application can significantly reduce treatment times in stroke care by accelerating the process of mobilizing stroke clinicians and interventionalists.MethodsWe analyzed patients presenting with LVOs between June 2019 and October 2020. Thirty-one patients were treated between June 2019 and March 2020 (pre-app group). Thirty-three patients presented between March 2020 and October 2020 (post-app group). Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to examine variables that are not normally distributed. In a secondary analysis we analyzed interhospital time metrics between primary stroke centers and our comprehensive stroke center.ResultsBaseline demographic and vascular risk factors were similar in both groups. Use of Rapid Mobile App resulted in 33 min reduction in DGPT (P=0.02), 35 min reduction in door to first pass time (P=0.02), and 37 min reduction in door to recanalization time (P=0.02) in univariate analyses when compared with patients treated pre-app. In a multiple linear regression model, utilization of Rapid Mobile App significantly predicted shorter DGPT (P=0.002). In an adjusted model, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 24 hours after procedure and at discharge were significantly lower in the post-app group (P=0.03). Time of transfer between primary and comprehensive stroke center was comparable in both groups (P=0.26).ConclusionIn patients with LVOs, the implementation of the RapidAI mobile application was independently associated with reductions in intrahospital treatment times.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura C.C. van Meenen ◽  
Maritta N. van Stigt ◽  
Arjen Siegers ◽  
Martin D. Smeekes ◽  
Joffry A.F. van Grondelle ◽  
...  

A reliable and fast instrument for prehospital detection of large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke would be a game-changer in stroke care, because it would enable direct transportation of LVO stroke patients to the nearest comprehensive stroke center for endovascular treatment. This strategy would substantially improve treatment times and thus clinical outcomes of patients. Here, we outline our view on the requirements of an effective prehospital LVO detection method, namely: high diagnostic accuracy; fast application and interpretation; user-friendliness; compactness; and low costs. We argue that existing methods for prehospital LVO detection, including clinical scales, mobile stroke units and transcranial Doppler, do not fulfill all criteria, hindering broad implementation of these methods. Instead, electroencephalography may be suitable for prehospital LVO detection since in-hospital studies have shown that quantification of hypoxia-induced changes in the electroencephalography signal have good diagnostic accuracy for LVO stroke. Although performing electroencephalography measurements in the prehospital setting comes with challenges, solutions for fast and simple application of this method are available. Currently, the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of electroencephalography in the prehospital setting are being investigated in clinical trials.


1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Quin ◽  
G. E. O. Widera

Of the quantitative approaches applied to inservice inspection, failure modes, effects,criticality analysis (FMECA) methodology is recommended. FMECA can provide a straightforward illustration of how risk can be used to prioritize components for inspection (ASME, 1991). But, at present, it has two limitations. One is that it cannot be used in the situation where components have multiple failure modes. The other is that it cannot be used in the situation where the uncertainties in the data of components have nonuniform distributions. In engineering practice, these two situations exist in many cases. In this paper, two methods based on fuzzy set theory are presented to treat these problems. The methods proposed here can be considered as a supplement to FMECA, thus extending its range of applicability.


Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olli S Mattila ◽  
Heini Harve ◽  
Saana Pihlasviita ◽  
Juhani Ritvonen ◽  
Gerli Sibolt ◽  
...  

Background and purpose: Blood-based biomarkers could enable early and cost-effective diagnostics for acute stroke patients in the prehospital setting to support early initiation of treatments. However, large prehospital sample sets required for biomarker discovery and validation are missing, and the feasibility of large-scale blood sampling by emergency medical services (EMS) has not been determined. We set out to establish extensive prehospital blood sampling of thrombolysis candidates in the catchment area of our comprehensive stroke center, with a 1.5 million population base. Methods: EMS personnel were trained to collect prehospital blood samples using a cannula-adapter technique. Time delays, sample quality and performance bottlenecks were investigated between May 20, 2013 and May 19, 2014. Results: Prehospital blood sampling and study recruitment were successfully performed in 430 thrombolysis candidates, of which 55.3% were admitted outside office hours. The median (interquartile range) emergency call to prehospital sample time was 33 minutes (25-41), and the median time from reported symptom onset or wake-up to prehospital sample was 53 minutes (38-85; n=394). Prehospital sampling was performed 31 minutes (25-42) earlier than admission blood sampling, and 37 minutes (30-47) earlier than admission neuroimaging. Quality control data from 25 participating EMS units indicated a 4-minute increase in median transport time (from arrival on-scene to hospital door) for study patients compared to patients of the preceding year. The hemolysis rate in serum and plasma samples was 6.5% and 9.3% for EMS samples, and 0.7% and 1.6% for admission samples collected with venipuncture. Conclusions: Prehospital biomarker sampling is feasible in standard EMS units and provides a median timesaving of over 30 minutes to obtain first blood samples. Large biobanks of prehospital blood samples will facilitate development of ultra-acute stroke biomarkers.


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