Abstract T MP75: Facilities Available in Chinese Hospitals From China Stroke Research Network

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunjuan Wang ◽  
Zixiao Li ◽  
Yilong Wang ◽  
Yong Jiang ◽  
Xingquan Zhao ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Stroke is the first leading cause of death in China and millions of patients were admitted to various levels of hospitals each year. However, it is unknown how many of these hospitals are able to provide an appropriate level of care for stroke patients since the certification program of comprehensive stroke center (CSC) and primary stroke center (PSC) has not been initiated in China. Method: In 2012, we selected all 554 hospitals that joined into the China Stroke Research Network (CSRN) to start a survey. These hospitals were from 31 provinces or municipalities, covered nearly the entire Mainland China. A six-page questionnaire was sent to each of them to obtain the stroke facility information. We used the same criteria and definitions for CSC, PSC, and minimum level for any hospital ward (AHW) admitting stroke patients with that of the European Stroke Facilities Survey. Results: For all the hospitals in CSRN, 521 (94.0%) returned the questionnaire, 20 (3.8%) met criteria for CSC, 179 (34.4%) for PSC, 64 (12.3%) for AHW, and 258 (49.5%) met none of them and provided a lower level of care. Hospitals meeting criteria for CSC, PSC, AHW, and none of them admitted 70 052 (8.8%), 334 834 (42.2%), 88 364 (11.1%), and 299 806 (37.8%) patients in the whole of last year. There was no 24-hour availability for brain CT scan in 4.3% of hospitals not meeting criteria for AHW, while neither stroke care map nor stroke pathway for patients admission in 81.0% of them. Conclusions: Less than two fifths of Chinese hospitals admitting acute stroke patients have optimal facilities, and nearly half even the minimum level is not available. Our study suggests that only one half acute stroke patients are treated in appropriate centers in China, facilities for hospitals admitting stroke patients should be enhanced and certification project of CSCs and PSCs may be a feasible choice.

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patty Noah ◽  
Melanie Henderson ◽  
Rebekah Heintz ◽  
Russell Cerejo ◽  
Christopher T Hackett ◽  
...  

Introduction: Dysphagia occurs in up to two thirds of stroke patients and can lead to serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia, which is also linked to increased morbidity and mortality. Evidence-based guidelines recommend a bedside dysphagia assessment before oral intake in stroke patients regardless of initial stroke severity. Several studies have described registered nurses’ competency in terms of knowledge and skills regarding dysphagia screening. We aimed to examine the rate of aspiration pneumonia compared to the rate of dysphagia screening. Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data at a single tertiary stroke center was carried out between January 2017 and June 2020. Data comparison was completed utilizing ICD-10 diagnosis codes to identify aspiration pneumonia in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. The data was reviewed to compare the compliance of a completed dysphagia screen prior to any oral intake to rate of aspiration pneumonia. Chi square tests were used to assess proportion differences in completed dysphagia screen and proportion of aspiration pneumonia diagnosis in the ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. Results: We identified 3320 patient that met inclusion criteria. 67% were ischemic strokes, 22% were intracerebral hemorrhages and 11% were subarachnoid hemorrhages. Compliance with dysphagia screening decreased from 94.2% (n=1555/1650) in 2017-2018 to 74.0% (n=1236/1670) in 2019-2020, OR=0.17 (95%CI 0.14 - 0.22), p < 0.0001. Aspiration pneumonias increased from 58 (3.5%) in 2017-2018 to 77 (4.6%) in 2019-2020, but this difference was not statistically significant, OR=0.75 (95%CI 0.53 - 1.07), p = 0.11. Conclusion: We noted that the decrease in compliance with completing a dysphagia screen in patients with acute stroke prior to any oral intake was associated with a higher trend of aspiration pneumonia.


2009 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. JCNSD.S2221
Author(s):  
Byron R. Spencer ◽  
Omar M. Khan ◽  
Bentley J. Bobrow ◽  
Bart M. Demaerschalk

Background Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a vital link in the overall chain of stroke survival. A Primary Stroke Center (PSC) relies heavily on the 9-1-1 response system along with the ability of EMS personnel to accurately diagnose acute stroke. Other critical elements include identifying time of symptom onset, providing pre-hospital care, selecting a destination PSC, and communicating estimated time of arrival (ETA). Purpose Our purpose was to evaluate the EMS component of thrombolysed acute ischemic stroke patient care at our PSC. Methods In a retrospective manner we retrieved electronic copies of the EMS incident reports for every thrombolysed ischemic stroke patient treated at our PSC from September 2001 to August 2005. The following data elements were extracted: location of victim, EMS agency, times of dispatch, scene, departure, emergency department (ED) arrival, recordings of time of stroke onset, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), cardiac rhythm, blood glucose (BG), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Cincinnati Stroke Scale (CSS) elements, emergency medical personnel field assessment, and transport decision making. Results Eighty acute ischemic stroke patients received thrombolysis during the study interval. Eighty-one percent arrived by EMS. Two EMS agencies transported to our PSC. Mean dispatch-to-scene time was 6 min, on-scene time was 16 min, transport time was 10 min. Stroke onset time was recorded in 68%, BP, HR, and cardiac rhythm each in 100%, BG in 81%, GCS in 100%, CSS in 100%, and acute stroke diagnosis was made in 88%. Various diagnostic terms were employed: cerebrovascular accident in 40%, unilateral weakness or numbness in 20%, loss of consciousness in 16%, stroke in 8%, other stroke terms in 4%. In 87% of incident reports there was documentation of decision-making to transport to the nearest PSC in conjunction with pre-notification. Conclusion The EMS component of thrombolysed acute ischemic stroke patients care at our PSC appeared to be very good overall. Diagnostic accuracy was excellent, field assessment, decision-making, and transport times were very good. There was still room for improvement in documentation of stroke onset and in employment of a common term for acute stroke.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Ribo ◽  
Alejandro Tomasello ◽  
Sandra Boned ◽  
Pilar Coscojuela ◽  
Jesus Juega ◽  
...  

Background: We aim to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a direct transfer to the angio-suite protocol for acute stroke patients candidates for endovascular treatment (EVT). Methods: Starting June 2016, patients with pre-hospital stroke code activation (RACE≥4) admitted within 4.5h from symptoms-onset were directly transferred on admission to angio-suite (DTA) bypassing the emergency room. After Xpert-CT in the angio-suite for parenchymal evaluation, femoral puncture and EVT were performed as usual. Patients following DTA were compared to all patients with same admission criteria treated with EVT in the previous 2 years (control group, CG). Results: Of the 16 patients that followed DTA, 1 (6%) showed an intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) on Xpert-CT and 15 underwent EVT, representing 50% of EVT admitted within 4.5h or 34% of all EVT performed in the study period. 56% of DTA patients had previous neuroimaging at a primary stroke center, 44% were primary admissions with no previous neuroimaging. Baseline characteristics including age (71 Vs 72 years; p=0.71) and admission NIHSS (18.5 Vs 18;p=0.68) were comparable. Median time from admission to groin puncture was significantly shorter in DTA patients (15 minutes IQR:13-19 Vs 65 IQR:45-10;p<0.01). Rate of no treatable occlusion on initial angiogram was 13.3% in DTA Vs 2.4% in CG (p=0.17). Procedural time (36 Vs 55 minutes;p=0.034) was shorter in the DTA group, while recanalization (TICI 2b-3: 86% Vs 81%;p=0.24) and symptomatic ICH rates(6.7% Vs 6.6%;p=0.98) and 24h NIHSS (10 Vs 10.5; p=0.81) were comparable. The total time from admission to recanalization was significantly shorter when DTA was applied (median 52 Vs 123;p<0.01). Conclusion: In a subgroup of acute stroke patients presenting in the early window, direct transfer and triage in the angio-suite seems feasible, safe and achieves a significant reduction in hospital workflow times.


Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie E Baumann

Introduction: Establishing regional stroke systems of care can improve timely treatment and survival, and reduce disability and related healthcare costs for persons experiencing acute stroke. A well-functioning stroke system requires seamless coordination between EMS, hospitals and certified stroke centers. Of 127 non-specialty hospitals in Wisconsin, 2% are comprehensive stroke centers and 24% have achieved primary stroke center certification. However, little is known about other hospitals’ capacity to treat acute stroke. The Wisconsin Stroke Coalition (WSC) wanted to better understand the need to improve stroke care capacity among hospitals not certified to treat stroke. The hypothesis was that few non-stroke certified hospitals in Wisconsin have all the criteria in place to treat acute stroke. Methods: WSC developed a short survey based on the Brain Attack Coalition’s recommendations for an acute stroke-ready hospital (ASRH). The tool included a user-friendly checklist that captured the status of each recommendation; in place currently or within six months; could be developed with assistance; or no plan to develop. WSC distributed the survey to 88 non-specialty, non-stroke certified hospitals and requested that each self-report their level of stroke care. Results: Fifty-nine percent of hospitals responded to the survey. Among respondents, 5% reported having all recommendations in place within six months, 53% reported having some of the recommendations in place and 1% reported no plan to develop any of the recommendations. While only a few had implemented every recommendation, the majority either had in place or were receptive to adopting individual suggestions. Nearly half of respondents reported having telestroke in place (either by phone, with video, or both). Conclusions: According to self-reported data, non-specialty, non-stroke certified hospitals in Wisconsin appear well-positioned or receptive to developing basic recommendations for acute stroke-ready hospitals. WSC plans to disseminate findings to Wisconsin hospitals and gather further information about technical assistance that would improve their level of stroke care and coordination with EMS.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2092103
Author(s):  
Scott Gutovitz ◽  
Jonathan Leggett ◽  
Leslie Hart ◽  
Samuel M Leaman ◽  
Heather James ◽  
...  

Introduction We evaluated the impact of tele-neurologists on the time to initiating acute stroke care versus traditional bedside neurologists at an advanced stroke center. Methods This observational study evaluated time to treatment for acute stroke patients at a single hospital, certified as an advanced primary stroke centre, with thrombectomy capabilities. Consecutive stroke alert patients between 1 March, 2016 and 31 March, 2018 were divided into two groups based on their neurology consultation service (bedside neurology: 1 March, 2016–28 February, 2017; tele-neurology: 1 April, 2017–31 March, 2018). Door-to-tPA time and door-to-IR time for mechanical thrombectomy were compared between the two groups. Results Nine hundred and fifty-nine stroke patients met the inclusion criteria (436 bedside neurology, 523 tele-neurology patients). There were no significant differences in sex, age, or stroke final diagnosis between groups ( p > 0.05). 85 bedside neurology patients received tPA and 35 had mechanical thrombectomy, 84 and 44 for the tele-neurology group respectively. Door-to-tPA time (median (IQR)) was significantly higher among tele-neurology (64 min (51.5–83.5)) than bedside neurology patients (45 min (34–69); p < 0.0001). There was no difference in door-to-IR times (mean ± SD) between bedside neurology (87.2 ± 33.3 min) and tele-neurology (90.4 ± 33.4 min; p = 0.67). Discussion At this facility, our tele-neurology services vendor was associated with a statistically significant delay in tPA administration compared with bedside neurologists. There was no difference in door-to-IR times. Delays in tPA administration make it harder to meet acute stroke care guidelines and could worsen patient outcomes.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Holder ◽  
Kevin Leeseberg ◽  
James A. Giles ◽  
Jin-Moo Lee ◽  
Sheyda Namazie ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Mechanical thrombectomy has dramatically increased patient volumes transferred to comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs), resulting in transfer denials for patients who need higher level of care only available at a CSC. We hypothesized that a distributive stroke network (DSN), triaging low severity acute stroke patients to a primary stroke center (PSC) upon initial telestroke consultation, would safely reduce transfer denials, thereby providing additional volume to treat severe strokes at a CSC. Methods: In 2017, a DSN was implemented, in which mild stroke patients were centrally triaged, via telestroke consultation, to a PSC based upon a simple clinical severity algorithm, while higher acuity/severity strokes were triaged to the CSC. In an observational cohort study, data on acute ischemic stroke patients presenting to regional community hospitals were collected pre- versus post-DSN implementation. Safety outcomes and rate of CSC transfer denials were compared pre-DSN versus post-DSN. Results: The pre-DSN cohort (n=150), triaged to the CSC, had a similar rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and discharge location compared with the post-DSN cohort (n=150), triaged to the PSC. Time to stroke unit admission was faster post-DSN (2 hours 40 minutes) versus pre-DSN (3 hours 29 minutes; P <0.001). Transfer denials were reduced post-DSN (3.8%) versus pre-DSN (1.8%; P =0.02), despite an increase in telestroke consultation volume over the same period (median, 3 calls pre-DSN versus 5 calls post-DSN; P =0.001). No patients who were triaged to the PSC required subsequent transfer to the CSC. Conclusions: A DSN, triaging mild ischemic stroke patients from community hospitals to a PSC, safely reduced transfer denials to the CSC, allowing greater capacity at the CSC to treat higher acuity stroke patients.


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Reimer ◽  
Suzanne DuRocher ◽  
Susan Galiczynski

Background: Preparation for the Joint Commission survey to determine Primary Stroke Center Certification requires extensive education of staff in all areas a stroke patient will be during their hospitalization. Research personnel in the Emergency Department (ED) often rely on clinical staff for notification of potential research participants. When present in the treatment area research personnel are notified in person or find potential participants by reviewing a patient’s chief complaint or admitting diagnosis. When outside the treatment area, particularly during times when on call from outside the hospital, the research staff is dependent on notification by clinical staff. Methods: During the survey preparation, ED staff was educated in care of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients according to AHA/ASA guidelines. During the formal nursing education research personnel gave short presentations on currently enrolling acute stroke trials and gave instructions on how to reach the research team in the event that a potential study participant entered the ED. Quarterly research reports were given at the Emergency Medicine resident’s conference. Education was given to the nursing and medical staff from October 2010 through July 2011 when the survey took place. The database of the online paging system was reviewed for the time period April 2010 through July 2011. Test, demonstration, non-stroke study and calls from other institutions were deleted from the data set. The remaining calls were divided by the month in which they were placed. Results: The research team received on average 5 calls per month during the six months prior to the AHA/ASA education. During the education time the research team received on average 9.6 calls per month. Conclusion: Acute stroke research personnel increase the number of potential patient notifications by participating in ED staff education for the Primary Stroke Center Certification survey.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Leatherwood ◽  
Maureen Lall ◽  
Diane McGraw ◽  
Rita Richards ◽  
Fiona Smith

Background and Issues: Acute strokes are medical emergencies that require rapid assessment and treatment. Following treatments, focused and frequent monitoring is essential to quickly identify and mitigate any physiological deterioration. However, hospital capacity and decreased availability of monitored beds often causes delay in admission and prolonged stays in the emergency department and the potential increase in morbidity and mortality. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement initiative is to reduce the length of time from a patient presenting to the emergency department with acute stroke symptoms and treated with alteplase, to the time that the patient is being monitored utilizing “comprehensive specialized stroke care” level monitoring. This level of monitoring allows for the patient to be assessed closely and frequently to ensure the absence of physiological or neurological deterioration as well as for any adverse thrombolytic reaction. Methods: To improve the process of patient progression within the hospital, the care team utilized the ADKAR® Change Management Model. This model focuses on sponsoring awareness, promoting desire, providing knowledge, ensuring ability, and reinforcing changes. Each of these five components is critical to implement the proposed changes and ensure the longevity of the process changes. Results: Since the implementation of the process change, the Primary Stroke Center has experienced twenty-four months of mean “door-to-monitored bed” times below the 180 minute benchmark. In addition, the mean “door to monitored bed” time has decreased from 210 minutes in the three months preceding the process change (n=20), to 113 minutes during the twenty-four months following the change (n=150). Conclusions: During this process change, the Stroke Center successfully reduced the time between patient arrival and being in a monitored bed. The use of the ADKAR® Change Management Model is particularly advantageous in implementing a process change that is expected to be sustained into the future.


Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan McCoy ◽  
Ralph Fader ◽  
Colleen Donovan ◽  
Robert Eisenstein ◽  
Pamela Ohman-Strickland ◽  
...  

Background: Hispanics have an increased incidence of ischemic stroke but may be less likely to use Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for stroke care. Objective: To examine disparities in pre-hospital triage and emergent evaluation of Hispanic stroke patients. We hypothesized that Hispanic stroke patients with pre-hospital notification experience less delay in emergent evaluation but the reduction may not be as pronounced as general stroke patients. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all emergency department patients alerted as Brain Attack (BAT) between January 1, 2009 and August 31, 2012, at an urban comprehensive stroke center. We collected demographics, co-morbidities, and stroke severity from a quality assurance database. Outcome variables included EMS utilization, pre-hospital BAT activation, head CT timing & tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) timing. Effects of ethnicity and pre-hospital notification on evaluation and treatment times were measured using multivariate logistic regression models. The study was IRB approved. Results: During the study period, 832(64 Hispanic) patients were alerted as Brain Attacks. Hispanic patients were younger 56±17 vs. 68±16 years (p<0.0001), had trends for less EMS utilization (walk-in 35% vs. 22%) and lower NIHSS 9.3±4.3 vs. 12.8±8.3 (p=0.06), but did not differ in comorbidities. Patients with pre-hospital notification had significantly shorter times to stroke specialist arrival, door to head CT, and door to TPA irrespective of ethnicity. However, ethnicity did have independent effect on time to TPA administration. Please see Table 1. Conclusion: Pre-hospital notification is associated with faster stroke evaluation and treatment, including among Hispanic patients with acute stroke. Further study is needed to examine if outreach to increase EMS utilization will decrease disparities in this population.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document