Abstract 123: Door To Needle 60, Creative Solutions in Academia

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilana M Ruff ◽  
Ava L Liberman ◽  
Fan Z Caprio ◽  
Kapil Sachdeva ◽  
Deborah L Bergman ◽  
...  

Introduction: National guidelines endorse that eligible acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients should be treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) within 60 minutes of arrival to an emergency department (ED). We participated in the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke program which successfully reduced door to needle (DTN) times through 10 best practices, but academic hospitals face a unique challenge as junior residents evaluate and manage AIS patients. We hypothesized that a “stroke boot camp” could improve resident efficiency during stroke codes and shorten DTN times through faster stroke code to tPA times. Methods: A neurology resident educational protocol was developed and implemented in April 2013 using a Socratic case-based discussion to emphasize focused history and exam, medication history, and tPA exclusion criteria. We distributed cards with IV tPA risks/benefits and a checklist for tPA exclusion criteria. We compared pre-intervention (January 2010-April 2013) to post-intervention (April 2013-April 2014) patient demographics, comorbidities, resident level, relevant times, and outcomes using appropriate tests. Results: We analyzed 122 consecutive AIS patients treated with IV tPA in our ED during the study period. Pre and post intervention groups did not differ by demographics except gender (p = 0.005). There were no difference in comorbidities, baseline NIHSS, or resident post graduate year (PGY). After the intervention, stroke-code-to-tPA was significantly reduced (75 min vs. 45 min; p < 0.001), whereas door-to-stroke-code (7 min vs. 6 min, p = 0.56) and door-to-CT (18 min vs. 19 min, p = 0.44) did not change. The proportion of patients treated within 60 minutes increased (16.4% vs. 51.4%, P < 0.001) and median DTN time decreased (81 min vs. 60 min P < 0.001) significantly after the intervention. Time reductions were consistent across PGY levels without increased adverse outcomes. Conclusion: Reduction in stroke code-to-tPA times after implementation of a “stroke boot camp” led to a significant reduction in DTN time. Focused neurology resident acute stroke education should be implemented at academic institutions to improve rapid IV tPA administration

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e001089
Author(s):  
Hoang Thi Tran ◽  
John Charles Scott Murray ◽  
Howard Lawrence Sobel ◽  
Priya Mannava ◽  
Le Thi Huynh ◽  
...  

BackgroundTo improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, Vietnam implemented early essential newborn care (EENC) using clinical coaching and quality improvement self-assessments in hospitals to introduce policy, practice and environmental changes. Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children began EENC with caesarean section births to inform development of national guidelines. This study compared newborn outcomes after caesarean sections pre/post-EENC introduction.MethodsMaternity records of all live in-born hospital caesarean births and separate case records of the subpopulation admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were reviewed pre-EENC (November 2013–October 2014) and post-EENC (November 2014–October 2015) implementation. NICU admissions and adverse outcomes on NICU admission were compared using descriptive statistics.FindingsA total of 16 927 newborns were delivered by caesarean section: 7928 (46.8%) pre-EENC and 8999 post-EENC (53.2%). Total NICU admissions decreased from 16.7% to 11.8% (relative risk 0.71; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.76) after introduction of EENC. Compared with the pre-EENC period, babies with hypothermia on admission to the NICU declined from 5.0% to 3.7% (relative risk 0.73; 95% CI 0.63 to 0.84) and cases of sepsis from 3.2% to 0.8% (relative risk 0.26; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.33) post-EENC implementation. While more than half of all newborns in the NICU were fed something other than breastmilk pre-EENC introduction, 85.8% were exclusively breast fed post-EENC (relative risk 1.86; 95% CI 1.75 to 1.98). Preterm newborns <2000 g receiving kangaroo mother care (KMC) increased from 50% to 67% (relative risk 1.33; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.59).ConclusionThe EENC quality improvement approach with caesarean section births was associated with reduced NICU admissions, admissions with hypothermia and sepsis, and increased rates of exclusive breast feeding and KMC in the NICU.


Author(s):  
Muhammad A Pervez ◽  
Joshua N Goldstein ◽  
Natalia S Rost ◽  
Joyce Mclntyre ◽  
Joseph Fay ◽  
...  

Background: National guidelines recommend eligible acute stroke patients undergo neuroimaging within 25 min and IV tPA within 60 min. In order to reduce door-to-needle time, we implemented an “ED2CT” virtual group pager which allows ED staff to simultaneously activate the Stroke Team, neuroradiologists, CT technologists, nursing supervisors and pharmacists. Methods: We performed an IRB approved retrospective review of a prospectively acquired cohort of consecutive patients with ischemic stroke presenting to a single tertiary stroke center using our Get With the Guidelines Stroke (GWTG-S) database. We compared patients who received IV tPA within 3 hours of symptom onset pre- (March 2006-April 2008) to post-intervention (September 2008-December 2009) by Wilcoxon or Fisher's exact as appropriate. Results: Overall, there were 56 patients in the pre-intervention and 53 in the post-intervention groups. Patients were 50.5% male, median age was 76 [IQR 63, 85] years, median time to presentation was 50 [IQR 33, 87] min, and median initial NIHSS was 14 [IQR 8, 20]. None of these variables were significantly different between the pre- and post-intervention groups. Implementation of the ED2CT alert was associated with a reduction of 31% in door-to-CT time (29 [22, 40] vs. 20 [16, 29] min; p=<0.001) and 13.5% in door-to needle time (59 [42, 78] vs. 51 [35, 62] min; p=0.02). In addition, there was an increase of 55% in the proportion of patients undergoing CT within 25 min (42.9% vs.66.7 % p=0.01) and 39% in door-to needle within 60 min (51.8% vs. 72.0% p=0.03). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) was infrequent among patients receiving IV tPA with or without rescue IA reperfusion (n=109, 8.3%) and those with IV tPA only (n=83, 6.0%); there was a trend in reduced sICH rate post intervention (11.6% vs. 0%; p=0.06). Conclusions: A novel emergency alert system with which the ED attending directly activates multiple members of the acute stroke clinical and imaging team was associated with an improved door-CT time and improved door-tPA time without an increased risk of sICH. This approach aligns acute stroke care activation with trauma and emergency cardiac care and suggests that team-based approaches may be better than specialty -specific responses.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107815522110191
Author(s):  
Bethannee Horn ◽  
Lyn Wells ◽  
Zachery Halford

Introduction The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an autonomous oncology boot camp on Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) student knowledge. Secondary objectives included assessing student perception of the virtual learning experience and overall comfort level with the material. Methods APPE students rotating through our institution between November 2019 and March 2020 were voluntarily enrolled in a 4-hour oncology-focused boot camp, which included five PlayPosit (Denver, CO, USA) interactive video lectures embedded with case-based application questions followed by one comprehensive web-based Quandary (Victoria, BC, Canada) action-maze case. Student learning was measured by a pre- and post-intervention exam. A web survey tool (Qualtrics, Provo, UT, USA) collected student perceptions evaluating their comfort with oncology-specific drug knowledge and APPE rotations tasks. Results Fifty students enrolled in the oncology boot camp, with 100% completing the pre- and post-intervention assessments. Overall, pre-intervention exam scores (mean: 55.4%, SD: 21.8%) improved by 23.2% following the boot camp (mean: 78.6%, SD: 19.2%; p < 0.001). Students performed better on all 10 exam questions, with 6 questions showing a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05). Forty-five students (90%) completed the perception surveys. Of those, 93% agreed that it effectively reinforced important oncology knowledge, 91% supported the autonomous design, and 82% would recommend the oncology boot camp for future students. Conclusion The boot camp proved to be a beneficial educational tool that enhanced student knowledge and confidence in navigating common oncology concepts. Students valued the ability to independently complete the activities and supported its continuation.


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolora Wisco ◽  
Christopher Newey ◽  
Pravin George ◽  
James Gebel

Introduction: Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) has been approved for treating strokes up to 3 hours after onset of symptoms and may be beneficial up to 4.5 hours in patients who qualify. Additionally, neuro-intervention, i.e., intra-arterial thrombolysis or thrombectomy, is also an approved treatment option. Population studies show that 6% receive IV tPA within 3 hours of stroke onset. However, in-hospital strokes present challenges to treating within an adequate time. We present here our experience with in-hospital strokes, treatments, and identifiable delays in treatments. Methods: Single, tertiary center retrospective study of 55 in-hospital strokes over a one-year period from January 2009 to January 2010, and strokes in the Emergency Department over 6 month period from January 2010 to June 2010. Results: Twenty-nine in-hospital strokes were evaluated within 3 hours of symptoms onset. Two (6.9%) received IV tPA, and four (13.8%) received neuro-intervention (either intra-arterial thrombolysis or thrombectomy). None of the patients who presented greater than 3 hours after symptom onset was treated with any treatment (n=28). When compared to patients who present to the ED within 3 hours, in-hospital strokes were less likely to get IV tPA (6.9% vs. 20.8%), and they were more likely to receive neuro-intervention (13.8% vs. 10.3%). Neuro-intervention was performed on 9.09% of all in-hospital strokes (1 of 5 presented beyond the 3 hour time window). For in-hospital strokes that receive any treatment within 3 hours, the average time to neurology evaluation, to CT, and to treatment are 35 min, 68 min, and 237 min, respectively. For strokes in the Ed, the average time to evaluation, to CT, and to treatment are 90 min, 28 min, and 66 min respectively. The delay for in-hospital strokes is in obtaining the CT and initiating the treatment. Discussion: In-hospital stroke patients wait longer than their ED counterparts to be taken to CT and to receive stroke treatment. They are also less likely to receive IV tPA, and more likely to receive neuro-intervention. The longer time to neuro-imaging and thrombolytic treatment may reflect the fact that patients suffering in-hospital strokes have more complex medical co-morbidities that must be taken account during the evaluation and administration of thrombolytic therapy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 101 (9) ◽  
pp. e2.6-e2
Author(s):  
Gabis Chana ◽  
Michelle Tabberner ◽  
Wendy Nixon ◽  
Sue Frost ◽  
Leslie Barrett ◽  
...  

AimWith pressures on junior doctors' availability in the NHS, non-medical prescribing is topical. Independent Nurse Prescribers (INPs) can prescribe any licensed medicine for any medical condition within their level of competence.1 An audit was undertaken of the four INPs employed by the Respiratory Department evaluating current prescribing practices.MethodThe requirement for this audit was identified by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and Trust approval was obtained. A data collection form was designed capturing patient demographics and full details of prescribed items.Over a 3 month period (August to October 2014) outpatient cystic fibrosis (CF) and respiratory prescriptions were studied using cluster sampling. Over a 6 week period prescription requests by CF INPs faxed to General Practitioners (GPs) were reviewed. INPs also prescribe via telephone, documenting advice on trust forms; these were preliminarily audited. All data was analysed using Microsoft Excel. Legality of prescriptions and adherence to national and local guidelines were evaluated. Reference keys were used to designate non-adherence post-application of exclusion criteria.ResultsA total of 77 outpatient prescriptions (45 CF and 32 respiratory) were completed by the 4 INPs, containing 122 items (72 CF and 50 respiratory). Of the CF prescribed items 21 were oral antibiotics (29%). Respiratory INPs mainly prescribed 14 inhaler devices (28%) and 12 inhaled bronchodilators (24%).All INP prescriptions met legal requirements. Basic details of medicinal products (drug name and dose) were documented for all items. A key finding was that duration/quantity was not indicated for 27 (54%) respiratory items.After applying exclusion criteria, of the CF prescribed items, 56/59 (95%) adhered to national guidelines and 47/66 (71%) followed local guidelines. The leading reason for not following local guidelines was not documenting allergy status. Of the respiratory prescribed items, 34 (100%) adhered to national guidelines and 31/32 (97%) followed local guidelines.A total of 33 faxes (with 38 items) were completed and 35 items (92%) were oral antibiotics. Drug name, dose and frequency were stated for all items. From the faxed items, 38 (100%) adhered to national guidelines and 32/33 (97%) followed local guidelines.Over 5 days, CF INPs provided telephone advice for 12 patients. Of these, 6 patients had respiratory exacerbation. Telephone advice led to faxes being sent to GPs for 9 patients. This was preliminary data with a re-audit planned after amendment of trust form.ConclusionOverall INP prescribing was found to be safe and effective. This review enabled education of the respiratory team of prescribing practices via a local audit meeting. The positive contribution that INPs provide to patient care was highlighted as they improve the patient journey and support the MDT. The demand for INP prescribing in particular with CF has provided opportunity for a pharmacist prescriber to join the CF MDT. It is recommended medical and pharmacist prescribing to be reviewed.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
RAJAN R GADHIA ◽  
Farhaan S Vahidy ◽  
Tariq Nisar ◽  
Destiny Hooper ◽  
David Chiu ◽  
...  

Objective: Most acute stroke treatment trials exclude patients above the age of 80. Given the clear benefit of revascularization with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT), we sought to assess functional outcomes in patients treated above the age of 80. Methods: We conducted a review of all patients admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital between January 2019 and August 2020 with an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) presentation[MOU1] for whom premorbid, discharge, and 90 day modified Rankin Scale scores were available. Patients were categorized by acute stroke treatment (IV tPA, MT, both or none[MOU2] ). mRS values were assessed during admission prior to discharge and at 90 days post stroke event. A delta mRS (Discharge vs. 90-day [MOU3] ) was defined and grouped as no change, improved, or worsened to assess overall functional disability in regards to the index stroke presentation. Results: A total of 865 patients with AIS presentation were included, of whom 651 (75.3%) were <80 years and 214 (24.7%) were > 80 years of age at presentation. A total of 208 patients received IV tPA, 176 underwent revascularization with MT only, 71 had both treatments, and 552 had no acute intervention. In patients >80 yrs who had no acute stroke intervention. mRS improvement was noted in 71.4% compared to 54.1% observed in those patients <80 years. Among patients who received IV tPA, 81.5% of > 80 years improved vs. 61.6% in the younger cohort. A similar trend was noted in the MT and combined treatment groups (76.2% vs. 71.2% and 78.6% vs. 79.3%, respectively). Conclusion: Based on our cohort of acute stroke patients, there was no significant difference in outcomes (as measured by delta mRS) for octogenarians and nonagenarians when compared to younger patients. There was a trend towards improvement in the elderly patients. Chronological age by itself may be an insufficient predictor of functional outcome among stroke patients and age cutoffs for enrollment of patients in acute stroke trials may need additional considerations.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lila E Sheikhi ◽  
Stacey Winners ◽  
Pravin George ◽  
Andrew Russman ◽  
Zeshaun Khawaja ◽  
...  

Background: A mobile stroke unit (MSU) allows for early delivery for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA). A proportion of IV-tPA treated patients may turn out to be stroke mimics. We evaluated the rate and complications seen in stroke mimics treated with tPA from our early experience on MSU. Methods: Retrospective review of patients treated with IV-tPA on the MSU from 2014 to 2016. Charts were reviewed for confirmed strokes by imaging (MRI or CT) and hemorrhagic transformation. Stroke mimics were defined as those without imaging evidence of infarction and a final diagnosis which was not suspected to be stroke. Results: Among 62 patients treated with IV-tPA, 14 (28.6%) had a final diagnosis consistent with a stroke mimics. The majority of these occurred in the first year of the MSU program. Most common mimics included conversion disorder (n=5) and seizures (n=5). While the last known well to IV-tPA times were similar, the MSU door-to-needle time was significantly longer in stroke mimics (38 vs 31 minutes, p = 0.03). No intracerebral hemorrhages or other IV-tPA related complications were identified in the stroke mimics group. Conclusions: In our early experience with MSU, treatment of stroke mimics occurred without IV-tPA related complications. This does not appear to be due to rushed decision making.


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2021-018017
Author(s):  
Andre Monteiro ◽  
Slah Khan ◽  
Muhammad Waqas ◽  
Rimal H Dossani ◽  
Nicco Ruggiero ◽  
...  

BackgroundAcute isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusions (aPCAOs) were excluded or under-represented in major randomized trials of mechanical thrombectomy (MT). The benefit of MT in comparison to intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase; IV-tPA) alone in these patients remains controversial and uncertain.MethodsWe performed a systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases for articles comparing MT with or without bridging IV-tPA and IV-tPA alone for aPCAO using keywords (‘posterior cerebral artery’, ‘thrombolysis’ and ‘thrombectomy’) with Boolean operators. Extracted data from patients reported in the studies were pooled into groups (MT vs IV-tPA alone) for comparison. Estimated rates for favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale score 0–2), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and mortality were extracted.ResultsSeven articles (201 MT patients, 64 IV-tPA) were included, all retrospective. There was no statistically significant difference between pooled groups in median age, median presentation National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, PCAO segment, and median time from symptom onset to puncture or needle. The recanalization rate was significantly higher in the MT group than the IV-tPA group (85.6% vs 53.1%, p<0.00001). Odds ratios for favorable outcome (OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.8 to 2.5), sICH (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.2 to 5.5), and mortality (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.5 to 3.6) did not significantly favor any modality.ConclusionsWe found no significant differences in odds of favorable outcome, sICH, and mortality in MT and IV-tPA in comparable aPCAO patients, despite superior MT recanalization rates. Equipoise remains regarding the optimal treatment modality for these patients.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Digvijaya D Navalkele ◽  
Amelia Boehme ◽  
Karen Albright ◽  
Cindy Leissinger ◽  
Ramy El Khoury ◽  
...  

Introduction: Baseline elevated Factor VIII (FVIII) level is a significant independent predictor of stroke occurrence and severity. We conducted a prospective serial laboratory cohort study to assess the correlation of FVIII levels in response to thrombolysis in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: AIS patients with anterior circulation LVO were enrolled within 4.5 hours from last seen normal. Baseline and serial FVIII levels were obtained to determine whether FVIII serves as a surrogate marker of clot burden and if FVIII levels or changes predict (1) recanalization with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) or (2) symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following tPA. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to determine significant predictors. Results: Patients (n=29) had a mean age of 71years, median NIHSS of 15, 62% were of black race and 48% were female. Baseline pre -tPA FVIII was not significantly correlated with clot burden score (-0.15, p=0.45) or vessel recanalization (-0.13, p=0.50). Median FVIII decreased significantly from baseline to 6hrs post-tPA (282% to 161%, p=0.0024), but delta in FVIII level did not correlate with vessel recanalization (0.01, p=0.95). No patient had sICH. There was no difference between median FVIII level at baseline and 90 days post AIS. Interpretation: FVIII level decreased significantly after tPA, but baseline FVIII level and early change in FVIII level were not significant predictors of clot burden, vessel recanalization after treatment with IV tPA, or symptomatic hemorrhage. This trial provided no evidence to support the value of acute FVIII level as a biomarker in AIS due to LVO. The physiology behind the decrease in FVIII level after tPA remains unknown.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Gaffney ◽  
Lorina Punsalang ◽  
Alvina Mkrtumyan ◽  
Raeesa Dhanji ◽  
David McCartney ◽  
...  

Background: The Joint Commission (TJC) Comprehensive Stroke Center standard requires monitoring of patients after IV tPA administration, diagnostic angiography, aneurysm coiling, carotid angioplasty and stenting, mechanical endovascular reperfusion (MER) and carotid endarterectomy. Meeting 100% compliance of the standard is challenging. In 2018, monitoring and documentation were among the TJC’s top ten cited survey findings. Purpose: To determine if an electronic tool can improve documentation compliance and reduce delays in monitoring of vital signs, and neurologic, pedal pulse and skin site assessments. Methods: The initiative was implemented in 2018 with the objective for all patients to have 100% of their post procedural monitoring completed. A documentation tool was created and introduced to nursing units via annual stroke education updates. The tool was added to an online nursing resource SharePoint website and application, which was accessible to all nurses within the hospital. The procedure end time was entered in the tool, which automatically calculated the documentation times. Data was compared 12 months pre and post intervention. Analysis and reporting of data were conducted monthly via the program’s quality oversight committee. Data was analyzed using T-Test. Results: In post-IV tPA patients, more patients had 100% complete documentation (79% post vs. 29% pre-implementation; p=0.006). For all post neuro-interventional radiology procedures, more patients had 100% complete documentation (68% post vs. 17% pre-implementation; p<0.001). For post carotid endarterectomy revascularization, there was a trend toward more patients with 100% complete documentation (83% vs 38%; p=0.07). Conclusion: Utilization of an electronic monitoring tool for post procedural documentation adherence can improve the percentage of patients who have 100% completed assessments and help meet the TJC standard.


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