scholarly journals Regional Changes in Patterns of Stroke Presentation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 1398-1406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R. Etherton ◽  
Kori S. Zachrison ◽  
Zhiyu Yan ◽  
Lukas Sveikata ◽  
Martin Bretzner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Stroke Patient ◽  
Regional Analysis ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Patient Presentation

Background and Purpose: Patient care-seeking has likely changed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In stroke, delayed or avoided care may translate to substantial morbidity. We sought to determine the effect of the pandemic on patterns of stroke patient presentation and quality of care. Methods: We analyzed data from 25 New England hospitals: one urban, academic comprehensive stroke center and telestroke hub, and 24 spoke hospitals in the telestroke network. We included all telestroke consultations from the 24 spokes, and all stroke admissions to the comprehensive stroke center hub from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020. We compared rates of presentation, timeliness presentation, and quality of care pre- versus post-March 1, 2020. We examined trends in patient demographics, stroke severity, timeliness, diagnoses including large vessel occlusion, alteplase use, and endovascular thrombectomy among eligible subjects. We compared proportions and bivariate comparisons to examine for changes pre- versus post-March 1, 2020 and used linear regression to examine trends over time. Results: Among 1248 patient presentations (844 telestroke consultations, 404 comprehensive stroke center admissions), telestroke consultations and ischemic stroke patient admissions decreased among the spokes and hub. Age and stroke severity were unchanged over the study period. We found no change in alteplase administration at telestroke spoke hospitals but did note a decrease in both alteplase use and thrombectomy at our comprehensive stroke center. Time metrics for patient presentation and care delivery were unchanged; however, rates of adherence for the quality measures dysphagia screening, early antithrombotic initiation, and early venous thromboembolism prophylaxis were reduced during the pandemic. Conclusions: In this regional analysis, we found decreasing telestroke consultations and ischemic stroke admissions, and reduced performance on stroke quality of care measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to prior reports, we did not find an increase in thrombectomy nor decrease in clinical severity that might be expected if patients with milder symptoms avoided hospitalization.

Abstract P126: Regional Changes in Patterns of Stroke Presentation During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R ETHERTON ◽  
Kori S Zachrison ◽  
Zhiyu Yan ◽  
Lukas Sveikata ◽  
Martin Bretzner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Stroke Patient ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Regional Analysis ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Patient Presentation

Introduction: Patterns of hospital presentation have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In stroke, delayed or avoided care may translate to substantial morbidity. We sought to determine the effect of the pandemic on patterns of stroke patient presentation and quality of care. Methods: We analyzed data from 25 New England hospitals: one urban, academic comprehensive stroke center (CSC) and telestroke hub, and 24 spoke hospitals in the telestroke network. We included all telestroke consultations from the 24 spokes and stroke admissions to the CSC from 11/1/2019 through 4/30/2020. We examined trends in stroke presentation including large vessel occlusion (LVO), alteplase use, and endovascular thrombectomy among eligible subjects. We compared proportions and bivariate comparisons to examine for changes pre- vs. post-3/1/2020, and used linear regression to examine trends over time. Results: Among 1248 patient presentations, telestroke consultations (0.4 fewer consults per week, p=0.005) and ischemic stroke patient admissions (decrease of 0.2 patients per week, p=0.04) decreased among the spokes and hub. Age and stroke severity were unchanged over the study period. We found no change in alteplase administration at telestroke spoke hospitals, but did note a decrease in both alteplase use (1.5 per week prior to March 1 st and 1 per week after, p=0.05) and thrombectomy at our CSC (0.1 fewer cases per week, p=0.02). Time metrics for patient presentation and care delivery were unchanged, however, rates of adherence for several quality measures were reduced during the pandemic (Table 1). Conclusions: In this regional analysis, we found decreasing telestroke consultations and ischemic stroke admissions, and reduced performance on stroke quality of care measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to prior reports, we did not find an increase in thrombectomy nor decrease in clinical severity that might be expected if patients with milder symptoms avoided hospitalization.

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 ◽  
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.

Abstract WP378: Use of Code Head Bleed to Promote Hemorrhagic Stroke Awareness in the Emergency Department

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Candace J McAlpine ◽  
Rocio Garcia ◽  
Pablo Rojas
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Stroke Patient ◽  
Hemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Care Coordinator ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center

Background and Purpose: Providers recognize the need for quick recognition and allocation of resources when ischemic stroke patients arrive at the emergency department. Hemorrhagic stroke patients have not been always given the same priority. One Comprehensive Stroke Center noticed a deficiency in timely recognition, documentation and mobilization of resources for hemorrhagic stroke patients. The initiation of “code head bleed” in the emergency department was created to correct this deficiency. The purpose of this study was to bring awareness and education to the team initially caring for the hemorrhagic stroke patient. Methods: Using Lean methodology, to bring about quality patient care while reducing wasted time, the “code head bleed” was born. Education was provided for all emergency department staff members and physicians regarding “code head bleed.” When a code head bleed notification is paged out it mobilizes all required resources to the patient’s bedside (Faculty physician, Medical Resuscitation team, Patient Care Coordinator, Respiratory Therapy, Stroke Coordinators and Emergency Department leadership). Results: Since its inception in May, the “code head bleed” is the most used code notification in the hospital (n=163 ), surpassing ischemic stroke alerts (n= 89 ) in the same period. An increase of traumatic hemorrhages has been noticed since they are also included in the notification; which has led to an increased awareness in this population of patients as well. Code head bleed has improved neuro-check documentation by 21 % and documentation of vasoactive drip titration by 15% in the hemorrhagic stroke population. Conclusions: In conclusion, having all essential staff, services and resources lends to optimizing the hemorrhagic stroke patient’s care. The “code head bleed” initiative has been attributed to an increased awareness of the needs of the hemorrhagic stroke patient in the emergency department and an improvement in the documentation of care provided.

scholarly journals Differences in Acute Ischemic Stroke Quality of Care and Outcomes by Primary Stroke Center Certification Organization

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 412-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shumei Man ◽  
Margueritte Cox ◽  
Puja Patel ◽  
Eric E. Smith ◽  
Mathew J. Reeves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center

Abstract T P3: Safety of Eptifibatide after Full Dose IV tPA and Endovascular Treatment for Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jawad F Kirmani ◽  
Daniel Korya ◽  
Grace Choi ◽  
Jaskiran Brar ◽  
Harina Chahal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Endovascular Treatment ◽  
Favorable Outcome ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Categorical Data Analysis ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Full Dose ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Iv Tpa

Background and Objective: The safety of eptifibatide in combination with IV tPA for ischemic stroke has recently been demonstrated in the CLEAR-ER trial which used .6 mg/kg IV tPA plus eptifibatide (135 mcg/kg bolus and .75mcg/kg/min two-hour infusion) versus standard tPA (.9 mg/kg). Prior studies have also looked into the combination of intra-arterial (IA) tPA and eptifibatide at dosing and duration similar to cardiology literature. Our aim was to compare the safety and efficacy of eptifibatide after full dose IV tPA and endovascular treatment versus full dose IV tPA and endovascular treatment alone. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records and procedure reports of patients who underwent endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke from 2010-2013 at a university affiliated comprehensive stroke center. Patients who received full dose IV tPA (.9 mg/kg) followed by endovascular treatment were compared with those who had the same treatment, but also received a bolus of 135 mcg/kg of eptifibatide followed by a .5 mcg/kg/min for 20 hours (based on IMPACT-II trial protocol). The initial and discharge NIH Stroke Scale as well as the discharge mRS (DCmRS) were evaluated. A DCmRS of 0 or 1 was considered a favorable outcome, and 2 or more was considered as a unfavorable. Initial stroke severity (NIHSS) was analyzed with logistic regression for baseline comparison and Fisher’s exact test were used for categorical data analysis. Results: We evaluated 2,016 patients with ischemic stroke, of which 230 received IV tPA and 91 (55% female) underwent endovascular treatment, 44 of them also received eptifibatide. Of the 44 patients who received eptifibatide (bolus and 20 hour infusion), 18% (n=8) had a favorable outcome, and in the group that did not receive eptifibatide , 9% (n=4) had a favorable outcome (OR=2.389, 95% CI 0.6645 to 8.589, p= 0.2217). Conclusion: Eptifibatide in combination with full dose IV tPA and endovascular treatment did not increase morbidity in our patient population, and may have improved outcome. Further, larger trials need to be conducted for more definitive results.

Abstract 12: National Surveillance of Stroke Quality of Care and Outcomes Using Post-stratification Survey Weights on the Get With the Guidelines-stroke Patient Registry

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Boback Ziaeian ◽  
Haolin Xu ◽  
Roland Matsouaka ◽  
Ying Xian ◽  
Yosef Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Stroke Patient ◽  
Population Estimates ◽  
Maximum Weight ◽  
Get With The Guidelines ◽  
Post Stratification

Background: The U.S. lacks an appropriate stroke surveillance system. This study developed and validated post-stratification weights for an existing stroke patient registry to represent the entire U.S. population across the nine U.S. Census divisions. Methods: Two statistical approaches were used to develop post-stratification weights for the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke registry by anchoring population estimates to the National Inpatient Sample to model the burden of acute ischemic stroke. Post-stratification survey weights were estimated using a raking procedure and Bayesian interpolation methods. Both strategies for developing weights were compared. Weighting methods were adjusted to limit dispersion of weights and make reasonable national estimates of patient characteristics, quality of hospital care, and clinical outcomes. Standardized differences in national population estimates were reported between the two post-stratification methods. Color treemaps were used to visualize the distribution of post-stratification weights across relevant sub-populations. Primary measures evaluated were patient and hospital characteristics, stroke severity, vital and laboratory measures, disposition, and clinical outcomes at discharge. Results: There were a total of 1,388,296 acute ischemic strokes between 2012 and 2014. Raking and Bayesian estimates of clinical data not recorded in administrative databases were estimated within 5 to 10% of the margins of reference values. Median weights for the raking method were 1.366 and the weights at the 99 th percentile were 6.881 with a maximum weight of 30.775. Median Bayesian weights were 1.329 and the 99 th percentile weights were 11.201 with a maximum weight of 515.689. Conclusions: Leveraging existing databases with patient registries to develop post-stratification weights is a reliable approach to estimate acute ischemic stroke epidemiology and monitoring for stroke quality of care nationally. Post-stratification weighting may be used as a basis for more advanced modeling relevant to understanding the burden of acute ischemic stroke and the quality of care delivered in U.S. hospitals. These methods may be applied to other diseases or settings to better monitor population health.

Abstract 331: Area Specific Differences for Quality of Care and Outcomes in Ischemic Stroke in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Wang ◽  
Zi-Xiao Li ◽  
Chun-Juan Wang ◽  
Xin Yang ◽  
Yong-Jun Wang
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Central Regions ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Care Improvement ◽  
Evidence Based Care

Background: Former studies suggest differences in stroke care associated with race, age or gender. We sought to find whether such disparities existed in different areas in patients hospitalized with stroke among hospitals participating in the China Stroke Center Association. Methods: In-hospital mortality and 4 stroke performance measures among 660,225 patients admitted with ischemic stroke in the Eastern, Central and Western regions of China in the China Stroke Center Association between 2015 and 2019. Results: After adjustment for both demographics and diseases history variables, western patients had lower odds relative of receiving intravenous thrombolysis (Eastern: OR, 1.78; 95%CI, 1.72 to 1.84; Central: OR, 1.55; 95%CI, 1.50 to 1.60), early antithrombotics (Eastern: OR, 1.95; 95%CI, 1.90 to 1.99; Central: OR, 1.86; 95%CI, 1.81 to 1.90), dysphagia screening (Eastern: OR, 1.03; 95%CI, 1.01 to 1.04; Central: OR, 0.83; 95%CI, 0.81 to 0.84) and NIHSS (Eastern: OR, 1.18; 95%CI, 1.16 to 1.20; Central: OR, 1.50; 95%CI, 1.48 to 1.53). However, the in-hospital death was higher in eastern and central regions (Eastern: OR, 0.48; 95%CI, 0.43 to 0.54; Central: OR, 0.51; 95%CI, 0.45 to 0.57). Conclusions: Western patients with stroke received fewer evidence-based care processes than central or eastern patients. Quality of care improvement in stroke should be focused on the west. The high mortality of the east and central probably resulted in that better hospitals in these areas received more severe patients substantially.

scholarly journals Stroke Center Certification Is Associated With Improved Guideline Concordance

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 585-589
Author(s):  
Adam S. Jasne ◽  
Heidi Sucharew ◽  
Kathleen Alwell ◽  
Charles J. Moomaw ◽  
Matthew L. Flaherty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Epidemiologic Study ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Certification Programs ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center

Measurement of quality of stroke care has become increasingly important, but data come mostly from programs in hospitals that choose to participate in certification programs, which may not be representative of the care provided in nonparticipating hospitals. The authors sought to determine differences in quality of care metric concordance for acute ischemic stroke among hospitals designated as a primary stroke center, comprehensive stroke center, and non-stroke center in a population-based epidemiologic study. Significant differences were found in both patient demographics and in concordance with guideline-based quality metrics. These differences may help inform quality improvement efforts across hospitals involved in certification as well as those that are not.

National trends in outcomes of ischemic stroke and prognostic influence of stroke center capability in Japan, 2010–2016

2019 ◽  
pp. 174749301988452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akiko Kada ◽  
Kuniaki Ogasawara ◽  
Takanari Kitazono ◽  
Kunihiro Nishimura ◽  
Nobuyuki Sakai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center

Background Limited national-level information on temporal trends in comprehensive stroke center capabilities and their effects on acute ischemic stroke patients exists. Aims To examine trends in in-hospital outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients and the prognostic influence of temporal changes in comprehensive stroke center capabilities in Japan. Methods This retrospective study used the J-ASPECT Diagnosis Procedure Combination database and identified 372,978 acute ischemic stroke patients hospitalized in 650 institutions between 2010 and 2016. Temporal trends in patient outcomes and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and mechanical thrombectomy usage were examined. Facility comprehensive stroke center capabilities were assessed using a validated scoring system (comprehensive stroke center score: 1–25 points) in 2010 and 2014. The prognostic influence of temporal comprehensive stroke center score changes on in-hospital mortality and poor outcomes (modified Rankin Scale: 3–6) at discharge were examined using hierarchical logistic regression models. Results Over time, stroke severity at admission decreased, whereas median age, sex ratio, and comorbidities remained stable. The median comprehensive stroke center score increased from 16 to 17 points. After adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, consciousness level, and facility comprehensive stroke center score, proportion of in-hospital mortality and poor outcomes at discharge decreased (from 7.6% to 5.0%, and from 48.7% to 43.1%, respectively). The preceding comprehensive stroke center score increase (in 2010–2014) was independently associated with reduced in-hospital mortality and poor outcomes, and increased rt-PA and mechanical thrombectomy use (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.97 (0.95–0.99), 0.97 (0.95–0.998), 1.07 (1.04–1.10), and 1.21 (1.14–1.28), respectively). Conclusions This nationwide study revealed six-year trends in better patient outcomes and increased use of rt-PA and mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. In addition to lesser stroke severity, preceding improvement of comprehensive stroke center capabilities was an independent factor associated with such trends, suggesting importance of comprehensive stroke center capabilities as a prognostic indicator of acute stroke care.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document