Abstract WP270: Outcomes of Telestroke tPA Patients Who Stay at Community Hospitals vs Transfer to a Comprehensive Stroke Center

Introduction: As a Comprehensive Stroke Center and a hub for telestroke stroke alert process is continual effort. Collaborating with spoke Stroke Coordinators is imperative to improving overall stroke alert process. A goal of national guidelines is to achieve a door to needle for administration of intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) of less than 60 minutes. A point of contention in the stroke alert process is the debate between Registered Nurse mixing versus pharmacy mixing of tPA. The question remains contentious in our telestroke community hospitals and therefore was analyzed. Methods: The telestroke network consists of 14 community hospitals of various bed sizes and stroke volume. Seven of the spokes use an Emergency Room nurse to mix tPA and the remaining seven use their pharmacy. Using data generated over 4 years from the telemedicine provider, the door to needle was assessed and compared. In addition, door to telestroke consultant decision to administer tPA was also analyzed. The average, minimum, maximum and median time in minutes was calculated for the door to needle and door to decision time points. Results: The average time for door to needle when nurses mix is 83 minutes versus an average door to needle time when pharmacy mixes is 93 minutes (p = 0.0398). The median time for nursing mixing is 81 minutes and pharmacy mixing is 89 minutes. The average door to consultant decision to administer tPA when nurses mix is 19 minutes compared to an average door to consultant decision to administer tPA when pharmacy mixes is 20 minutes (p = 0.5593). The fastest door to tPA administration is a spoke with a pharmacy mixing the drug at 23 minutes. Conclusion: The analysis of the telestroke network door to needle and door to consultant decision did not conclusively add evidence to a benefit of either the Emergency Room nurse or a Pharmacist mixing tPA. An effective and efficient stroke alert process demands a coordinated effort by all individuals. Not one role in the process makes the target achievable. Whether the Pharmacist or the bedside nurse prepares the drug, what makes it possible to achieve the target is the collaboration and understanding of everyone’s role.

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Abstract P364: Use of the Electronic Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score Software to Guide Treatment of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p364 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Danielle L Weiss ◽

Dennis Y Chuang ◽

Ali Fadhil ◽

Kelsey R Duncan ◽

Alexa Weiss ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chart Review ◽

Retrospective Chart Review ◽

Community Hospitals ◽

Ct Head ◽

Logistic Regressions ◽

Transferred Patients ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Contrast Ct ◽

The Relationship

Introduction: Rapid recognition of large-vessel middle cerebral artery (lvMCA) stroke in patients with acute stroke symptoms is critical to guide thrombectomy and hemicraniectomy decisions. The Electronic Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (e-ASPECTS; Brainomix, LLC) is an automated, artificial intelligence software which quantifies acute ischemic volume (AIV) on CT head scans in the MCA territory. In this study, we investigate if e-ASPECTS-derived AIV could help guide treatment and predict outcomes for patients transferred from community hospitals. Hypothesis: E-ASPECTS can help identify patients that may benefit from thrombectomy or hemicraniectomy. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review on patients age 18-90 transferred to our comprehensive stroke center (CSC) between 2013-2017. Non-contrast CT head scans performed at community hospitals prior to transfer were processed by e-ASPECTS to calculate AIV. Logistic regressions were used to test the relationship between AIV and eventual treatment (thrombectomy, hemicraniectomy). Results: 228 patient CT scans were analyzed by e-ASPECTS. In all transferred patients, higher AIV predicted patients with later confirmed lvMCA strokes (defined as an ICA or M1 occlusion; OR 1.03, CI 1.02-1.05, P<0.001). Higher AIV also trended toward thrombectomy but was not statistically significant (P=0.15). In the subgroup analysis of patients later confirmed to have lvMCA strokes, lower AIV was predictive for thrombectomy (OR 0.95, CI 0.92-0.97, P<0.001). Additionally, higher AIV predicted outcomes of malignant cerebral edema (MCE; OR 1.03, CI 1.02-1.05, P<0.001) and hemicraniectomy (OR 1.04, CI 1.00-1.07, P=0.03). Conclusions: Our study suggests that e-ASPECTS may be useful in identifying patients who would, or would not, benefit from transfer to a CSC from hospitals without thrombectomy or hemicraniectomy resources. Patients with stroke mimics or lvMCA strokes with large penumbras have lower AIVs, while patients with higher AIVs are at risk for MCE and may benefit from hemicraniectomy.

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The Door to Needle Time Metric Can Be Achieved via Telestroke

The Neurohospitalist ◽

10.1177/1941874417704753 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 188-191 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ganesh Asaithambi ◽

Amy L. Castle ◽

Michael A. Sperl ◽

Jayashree Ravichandran ◽

Aditi Gupta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Emergency Departments ◽

Community Hospitals ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

The administration of intravenous (IV) alteplase to patients with stroke via telestroke (TS) can be safe and effective. It remains unclear how quickly IV alteplase occurs during TS evaluations. We sought to compare door to needle times (DNTs) between patients receiving IV alteplase who present directly to our comprehensive stroke center (CSC) and those presenting to community hospitals in our TS network. Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who presented to emergency departments and received IV alteplase between August 2014 and June 2015 were identified at our CSC and TS network. Median DNTs with interquartile ranges were calculated in each cohort. During the study period, 117 patients with AIS (mean age 71 ± 15 years, 47% women) receiving IV alteplase were included in the analysis (65 CSC and 52 TS). Median DNT at our CSC was significantly shorter compared to TS sites (CSC: 43 [35-55] minutes vs TS: 54 [41-71] minutes, P < .01). The proportion of patients receiving IV alteplase ≤60 minutes of presentation was significantly higher at our CSC compared to our TS network (CSC 84.6% vs TS 63.5%, P = .02). Differences in favorable discharge to home were not significant (CSC 60% vs TS 46%, P = .14). Guideline-recommended DNTs ≤60 minutes can be achieved in community hospitals with TS guidance. Initiatives are required to better resemble DNTs found at stroke centers.

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Value of repeated imaging in patients with a stroke who are transferred for endovascular treatment

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-017050 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2020-017050

Author(s):

Laura C C van Meenen ◽

Nerea Arrarte Terreros ◽

Adrien E Groot ◽

Manon Kappelhof ◽

Ludo F M Beenen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Clinical Improvement ◽

Treatment Delay ◽

Clinical Deterioration ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhages ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Quality Outcomes ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

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.

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Effect of “drip-and-ship” and “drip-and-drive” on endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion: a single-center retrospective study

Acta Radiologica ◽

10.1177/02841851211006897 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 028418512110068

Author(s):

Yu Hang ◽

Zhen Yu Jia ◽

Lin Bo Zhao ◽

Yue Zhou Cao ◽

Huang Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Primary Stroke Center ◽

Secondary Endpoints ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

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.

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Coronavirus disease 2019 is threatening stroke care systems: a real-world study

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06297-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jiawei Xin ◽

Xuanyu Huang ◽

Changyun Liu ◽

Yun Huang

Keyword(s):

Real World ◽

Mainland China ◽

Stroke Care ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Real World Data ◽

Care Systems ◽

Long Term Prognosis ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Medical Burden

Abstract Background Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the stroke care systems have been seriously affected because of social restrictions and other reasons. As the pandemic continues to spread globally, it is of great significance to understand how COVID-19 affects the stroke care systems in mainland China. Methods We retrospectively studied the real-world data of one comprehensive stroke center in mainland China from January to February 2020 and compared it with the data collected during the same period in 2019. We analyzed DTN time, onset-to-door time, severity, effects after treatment, the hospital length of stays, costs of hospitalization, etc., and the correlation between medical burden and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Results The COVID-19 pandemic was most severe in mainland China in January and February 2020. During the pandemic, there were no differences in pre-hospital or in-hospital workflow metrics (all p>0.05), while the degree of neurological deficit on admission and at discharge, the effects after treatment, and the long-term prognosis were all worse (all p<0.05). The severity and prognosis of AIS patients were positively correlated with the hospital length of stays and total costs of hospitalization (all p<0.05). Conclusions COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the stroke care systems. Measures must be taken to minimize the collateral damage caused by COVID-19.

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How do treatment times impact on functional outcome in stroke patients undergoing thrombectomy in Germany? Results from the German Stroke Registry

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493020985260 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174749302098526

Author(s):

Juliane Herm ◽

Ludwig Schlemm ◽

Eberhard Siebert ◽

Georg Bohner ◽

Anna C Alegiani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Poor Functional Outcome ◽

Stroke Registry ◽

Primary Stroke Center ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Center Time

Background Functional outcome post-stroke depends on time to recanalization. Effect of in-hospital delay may differ in patients directly admitted to a comprehensive stroke center and patients transferred via a primary stroke center. We analyzed the current door-to-groin time in Germany and explored its effect on functional outcome in a real-world setting. Methods Data were collected in 25 stroke centers in the German Stroke Registry-Endovascular Treatment a prospective, multicenter, observational registry study including stroke patients with large vessel occlusion. Functional outcome was assessed at three months by modified Rankin Scale. Association of door-to-groin time with outcome was calculated using binary logistic regression models. Results Out of 4340 patients, 56% were treated primarily in a comprehensive stroke center and 44% in a primary stroke center and then transferred to a comprehensive stroke center (“drip-and-ship” concept). Median onset-to-arrival at comprehensive stroke center time and door-to-groin time were 103 and 79 min in comprehensive stroke center patients and 225 and 44 min in primary stroke center patients. The odds ratio for poor functional outcome per hour of onset-to-arrival-at comprehensive stroke center time was 1.03 (95%CI 1.01–1.05) in comprehensive stroke center patients and 1.06 (95%CI 1.03–1.09) in primary stroke center patients. The odds ratio for poor functional outcome per hour of door-to-groin time was 1.30 (95%CI 1.16–1.46) in comprehensive stroke center patients and 1.04 (95%CI 0.89–1.21) in primary stroke center patients. Longer door-to-groin time in comprehensive stroke center patients was associated with admission on weekends (odds ratio 1.61; 95%CI 1.37–1.97) and during night time (odds ratio 1.52; 95%CI 1.27–1.82) and use of intravenous thrombolysis (odds ratio 1.28; 95%CI 1.08–1.50). Conclusion Door-to-groin time was especially relevant for outcome of comprehensive stroke center patients, whereas door-to-groin time was much shorter in primary stroke center patients. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03356392 . Unique identifier NCT03356392

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Abstract WMP88: Shorter Door-to-Needle Times of Intravenous Alteplase Improve “Efficiency” of Care and Moderately Affect “Quality” of Care: Study Based on a Large Comprehensive Stroke Center

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.wmp88 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Suja S Rajan ◽

Jessica N Wise ◽

Marquita Decker-palmer ◽

Thanh Dao ◽

Cynthia Salem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Care ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Heart Association ◽

P Value ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Inpatient Mortality ◽

Care Outcomes ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

Introduction: The American Heart Association (AHA) recently raised the bar on timely treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with intravenous (IV) alteplase, by recommending door-to-needle times of 30 minutes or less for 50% or more of the AIS patients. Our study looks at the effectiveness of this new standard, by examining the effect of varying door-to-needle times on efficiency and quality of care, and clinical outcomes. Methods: Our study examined 762 AIS patients treated with IV alteplase in a large academic health system from 2015-2018, and compared their outcomes after treatment within 30, 45 and 60 minutes of arrival. The outcomes compared were: 1) Efficiency of care outcome - Length of stay (LOS); 2) Quality of care outcomes - Inpatient mortality and Disability at discharge; 3) Clinical outcomes - Discharge and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Post-alteplase (24 hr) NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Adjusted logistic and linear regression analyses were used, after controlling for baseline patient socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Based on the adjusted regression analyses (Table 1), being treated within 30 minutes of arrival reduced the average LOS by 1.3 days (p-value: 0.02), but did not affect the quality of care outcomes. Similarly, being treated within 45 minutes of arrival reduced LOS by 0.9 days (p-value: 0.04). Being treated within 60 minutes of arrival did not affect LOS, but reduced the odds of inpatient mortality by 68% (p-value: 0.00), and disability at discharge by 29% (p-value: 0.08). Being treated within 30 minutes of arrival was associated with better mRS and NIHSS scores as compared with being treated within 45 or 60 minutes. Conclusion: Quicker IV alteplase treatment significantly improved efficiency of care and clinical outcomes. Quality of care outcomes did not improve beyond the 60 minute door-to-needle threshold. This study provides evidence supporting AHA’s new recommendation of 30 minutes or less door-to-needle time.

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Abstract WP467: Challenging the National and Regional Targets and Achieving Door-to-Needle in 25 Minutes or Less at a Comprehensive Stroke Center

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.wp467 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Cynthia Sinogui ◽

Hillary Mitchell ◽

Anna Moiseyenko ◽

Leslie Keear ◽

Maraget Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rapid Assessment ◽

Baseline Data ◽

Process Data ◽

Treatment Target ◽

Treatment Targets ◽

Assessment And Treatment ◽

Visual Aid ◽

Local Facility ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

Background: The American Heart/ American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) established national 60 and 45-minute alteplase treatment targets ensure timely administration of alteplase in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). To challenge the 21 facilities of our integrated health system, our organization established a treatment target of 30-minutes or less. To raise the bar further, our local facility set a treatment target of 25-minutes or less. Purpose: To streamline and standardize rapid assessment and treatment for AIS patients receiving alteplase in 25-minutes or less at a CSC. Methods: Baseline data and process timeline were reviewed, and the workflow was evaluated using real-time observations conducted by front-line staff. Staff, physicians, and former patients involved in cases that met the 30-minute target were interviewed. Several Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were performed. An interdisciplinary subcommittee meets weekly to review cases for compliance and evaluation for process sustainability. An in-depth review is conducted for all cases outside the 25-minute treatment target. AHA/ASA exclusion criteria are allowed. Results: Baseline data was reviewed yielding 18% compliance to the target of 25-minute or less (3/16). Changes were implemented in April 2018. Between April 2018 and July 2019 of the 107 cases treated, 55% of cases were within 25-minutes, 81% within 30-minutes, 85% with 45-minutes, and 95% in 60-minutes. Keys to decreasing times were use of timer, a designated timekeeper, announcement of time increments, and revisions of the process. Data and other graphics were posted in the Stroke Alert vestibule as a visual aid for staff. Collaboration between departments was integral in driving change. Conclusion: Challenging national and organizational treatment targets and revising workflows were effective ways to sustain alteplase treatments times of 25-minutes or less.

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Abstract WP322: Inability to Identify Physician is Associated With Medication and Care Plan Knowledge Gaps Ii Stroke Patients

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.47.suppl_1.wp322 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Fred Cohen ◽

Jeffrey M Katz ◽

Jackie McCarthy ◽

Ignacio Lopez ◽

Paul Wright

Keyword(s):

Medication Compliance ◽

Care Plan ◽

Medication Regimen ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

General Neurology ◽

Patient Dissatisfaction ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Knowledge Deficits ◽

Attending Physician

Introduction: Patient dissatisfaction and medication non-compliance correlate with patient misunderstanding of their medications and care plan. We aimed to assess the degree of these gaps and their associations in hospitalized stroke patients. Methods: A 5-question survey was administered to patients hospitalized on the neuroscience ward of a comprehensive stroke center. Patient understanding of their condition leading to admission, care plan, medications, primary attending physician, and follow-up plan was assessed. If the patient was unable to communicate, then their health care representative was interviewed. Results: A total of 146 patients (55 stroke and 91 general neurology and neurosurgery (non-stroke) patients) or their representatives were interviewed. Stroke patients were less likely to properly identify their primary attending physician (33/55 (60.0%) stroke patients versus 35/91 (38.5%) non-stroke patients; p=0.011). Inability to identify the attending physician was associated with lack of medication and care plan knowledge and was more common in stroke patients, (23/33 (69.7%) stroke patients versus 14/35 (40.0%) non-stroke patients; p=0.014). Conclusion: Despite sharing a common pool of providers, the inability to identify the primary attending physician was significantly more common in stroke patients and was associated with patient knowledge deficits regarding their medication regimen and care plan. This correlation was significantly higher in stroke patients and suggests that stroke patients may require different, extra or more robust communication and education than the general neurology and neurosurgery population. Additionally, emphasis on attending physician identification may improve patient satisfaction and medication compliance.

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