scholarly journals Reducing Door-to-Needle Times for Ischaemic Stroke to a Median of 30 Minutes at a Community Hospital

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noreen Kamal ◽  
Elaine Shand ◽  
Robert Swanson ◽  
Michael D. Hill ◽  
Thomas Jeerakathil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischaemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Annual Number ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Community Hospitals ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention Period ◽  
Number Of Patients

AbstractBackgroundAlteplase is an effective treatment for ischaemic stroke patients, and it is widely available at all primary stroke centres. The effectiveness of alteplase is highly time-dependent. Large tertiary centres have reported significant improvements in their door-to-needle (DTN) times. However, these same improvements have not been reported at community hospitals.MethodsRed Deer Regional Hospital Centre (RDRHC) is a community hospital of 370 beds that serves approximately 150,000 people in their acute stroke catchment area. The RDRHC participated in a provincial DTN improvement initiative, and implemented a streamlined algorithm for the treatment of stroke patients. During this intervention period, they implemented the following changes: early alert of an incoming acute stroke patient to the neurologist and care team, meeting the patient immediately upon arrival, parallel work processes, keeping the patient on the Emergency Medical Service stretcher to the CT scanner, and administering alteplase in the imaging area. Door-to-needle data were collected from July 2007 to December 2017.ResultsA total of 289 patients were treated from July 2007 to December 2017. In the pre-intervention period, 165 patients received alteplase and the median DTN time was 77 minutes [interquartile range (IQR): 60–103 minutes]; in the post-intervention period, 104 patients received alteplase and the median DTN time was 30 minutes (IQR: 22–42 minutes) (p < 0.001). The annual number of patients that received alteplase increased from 9 to 29 in the pre-intervention period to annual numbers of 41 to 63 patients in the post-intervention period.ConclusionCommunity hospitals staffed with community neurologists can achieve median DTN times of 30 minutes or less.

scholarly journals A Daytime Fast Track Improves Throughput in a Single Physician Coverage Emergency Department

CJEM ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 648-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Copeland ◽  
Andrew Gray
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Fast Track ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Post Intervention Period ◽  
Left Without Being Seen ◽  
Physician Coverage

AbstractObjectivesFast tracks are one approach to reduce emergency department (ED) crowding. No studies have assessed the use of fast tracks in smaller hospitals with single physician coverage. Our study objective was to determine if implementation of an ED fast track in a single physician coverage setting would improve wait times for low-acuity patients without negatively impacting those of higher acuity.MethodsA daytime fast track opened in 2010 at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, a southwestern Ontario community hospital. Before and after intervention groups comprised of ED visits in 2009 and 2011 were compared. Pooled comparison of all Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) patients in each period, and between subgroups CTAS 2-5 comparisons were performed for: wait time (WT), length of stay (LOS), WTs that met national CTAS time guidelines (MNCTG), and proportion of patients that left without being seen (LWBS).ResultsWT and LOS were six minutes (88 min to 82 min, p=0.002) and 15 minutes (158 min to 143 min, p<0.001) lower, respectively, in the post-intervention period. Subgroup analysis showed CTAS 4 had the most pre- to post-intervention decrease in WT, of 13 minutes (98 min to 85 min, p<0.001). There was statistical improvement in MNCTG in the post-intervention period. No differences were found in outcome measures for higher-acuity patients or LWBS rates.ConclusionsImplementation of a fast track in a medium-volume community hospital with single physician coverage can improve patient throughput by decreasing WT and LOS without negatively impacting high-acuity patients. This may be clinically relevant, particularly for hospital administrators, given the improvement in meeting national WT standards we found post-intervention.

scholarly journals 1044. Impact of Interdisciplinary Rounds on Antimicrobial Use at a Community Hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S368-S368
Author(s):  
Emma Castillo ◽  
Luke Heuts ◽  
Elizabeth Dodds Ashley ◽  
Rebekah W Moehring ◽  
Michael E Yarrington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention Period ◽  
Interdisciplinary Rounds ◽  
Days Of Therapy ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Antimicrobial stewardship (AS) implementation is challenging in resource-limited settings such as smaller community hospitals that may lack dedicated personnel resources or have limited access to infectious diseases experts with dedicated time for AS. Few studies have evaluated the impact of interdisciplinary rounds as a strategy to optimize antimicrobial use (AU) in the community hospital setting. Methods We evaluated the impact of interdisciplinary rounds in a 280-bed acute care nonteaching, community hospital with an established ASP. The primary outcome was facility-wide antibiotic utilization pre- and post-implementation. Rounds included key healthcare personnel (hospitalists, clinical pharmacists, case managers, nurses) reviewing all patients on inpatient wards Monday through Friday, with a discussion of diagnosis, antibiotic selection, dosing, duration, and anticipated discharge plans. AU was compared for a 7-month post-intervention period (June 1, 2018–December 31, 2018) vs. similar months in 2017 based on days of therapy (DOT)/1,000 patient-days and length of therapy (LOT) per antimicrobial use admission. In addition, trends in AU for the post-intervention period were compared with the previous 17 months (January 1, 2017–May 31, 2018) using segmented binomial regression. Results Interdisciplinary rounds incorporating AS principles was associated with a decrease in overall AU in this facility, with a significant decrease of 16.33% (P < 0.0001) in DOT/1,000 pd in the first month and was stable (decrease of 1.1% per month, P = 0.15) thereafter (Figure 1). There was no significant change in LOT/admission after the first month of the intervention, but the trend demonstrated a 2% per month decrease (P < 0.03) thereafter (Figure 2). Comparing 2018 intervention months with similar months of 2017, the use of antibacterial agents decreased on average by 191.3 (95% CI −128.2 to −254.4) DOT/1,000 patient-days (Figure 3) and 0.546 (95% CI: −0.28 to −0.81) days per admission (Figure 4). Conclusion In this community hospital with an existing antimicrobial stewardship program, implementation of interdisciplinary rounds was associated with a substantial decrease in antimicrobial use. This was sustained for at least a 7-month period. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Abstract T P205: Efficacy and Safety of Telemedicine in Acute Stroke Care in a Metropolitan Area: Final Results of the Madrid Telestroke Project

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Martinez Sanchez ◽  
María Alonso de Leciñana ◽  
Ambrosio Miralles ◽  
Nuria Huertas Gonzalez ◽  
Blanca Fuentes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Acute Stroke Care ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Stroke Center

Introduction: our primary objective was to analyze the efficacy of a Telestroke system in terms of an increase in the number of patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and a shorter door-to-needle time, in the metropolitan area of Madrid, Spain. Our secondary objective was to analyze the safety of Telestroke in terms of mortality and symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (SHT). Methods: prospective observational cohort study: 1) cohort exposed to Telestroke: acute ischemic stroke patients attended at Infanta Sofia University Hospital (community hospital) connected by Telestroke with the Stroke Center at La Paz University Hospital; 2) Non-exposed cohort: acute stroke patients who are attended at Severo Ochoa University Hospital (community hospital) connected by phone with the Stroke Center at Ramon y Cajal University Hospital. The number of patient attended, number of IVT, times (min), 3-months outcome (mRS), the number of unnecessary transfers and safety parameters (mortality and SHT by ECAS III criteria) were recorded. We analyzed the first 34 months of the Telestroke (March 2011-december 2013). Results: in the Telestroke cohort the system was activated in 59 patients, being stroke code in 42 cases. In the non-exposed cohort 45 phone calls were made, being stroke code in 42 cases. In the Telestroke cohort, IVT were administrated in 61.9% (26/42) of patients whereas in the non-exposed only 28.6% (12/42) received this treatment (P=0,002). The door-to-needle time was shorter in Telestroke cohort than in the non-exposed cohort (mean [SD]) (86.9 [41.7] vs. 149.7 [68.2], P=0.001). The 3-month outcomes were better in the Telestroke cohort (mRS 0-3: 92.9% vs. 73.8%, P=0.038). Mortality (4,8% vs. 4.8%) and SHT (0% vs. 4.8%) were similar in both groups (P = NS). In addition, there were fewer unnecessary secondary transfers in the Telestroke cohort (4.3% vs. 20%, P=0.027). Conclusion: the implementation of a Telestroke system in a metropolitan area is effective and safe, increasing the number of IV thrombolysis and reducing the door-to-needle times. Furthermore, the Telestroke reduces the number of unnecessary secondary transfers.

Improving direct pharmacist counseling rates for oral oncolytic medications at an outpatient oncology clinic

2020 ◽  
pp. 107815522097102
Author(s):  
Dylan J Hayes ◽  
John E Moore
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Patient Counseling ◽  
Improvement Strategy ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention Period ◽  
Oncolytic Therapy ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Pharmacist Counseling

Background Due to the increasing prevalence of oral oncolytic utilization for patients with malignancy, implementation of strategies for increased monitoring and patient safety have become a necessity. Our focus was on the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) standards of care, standard 2.3, and its requirement for patient counseling prior to first administration of oral oncolytic therapy. Objective To assess the implementation of a workflow improvement strategy to determine its effect on the number of patients reached for pharmacist counseling prior to first dose of oral oncolytic medications. Methods In this quasi-experimental quality improvement study, we formed a multidisciplinary group to develop and implement a workflow improvement process. This process was focused on a redistribution of workflow and the implementation of new technology within EPIC Beacon. Results A total of 86 patients were identified as eligible for counseling (38 pre-intervention, 48 post-intervention). There was a statistically significant increase in number of eligible patients counseled in the post-intervention period as compared to the pre-intervention period (100% vs. 86.84%; 95% CI = –0.212, –0.205; P = 0.017). There were no significant differences observed in the number of patients counseled in-person or patients counseled prior first dose. Conclusion Our intervention showed a 100% rate of counsel in the post-intervention period. Further work needs to be done to improve the number of these patients we reach prior to them taking their first dose of medication, as well as the number of patients we are able to counsel face-to-face.

Abstract W P194: Telestroke is Not Associated With a Lower Rate of IV Thrombolysis

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neelofer Shafi ◽  
Sandra Hoelzel ◽  
Rebbeca Grysiewicz ◽  
Aslam Khaja ◽  
Fernando D Testai
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Coverage Model ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background: Telestroke is an increasingly used mode of assessment of acute stroke patients when vascular neurologists are not available onsite. We provided onsite stroke hospitalist services at a local community hospital via onsite, bedside assessment for 18 months. Coverage was then transitioned to telestroke only assessment, at the same hospital with the same vascular neurologists. We sought to determine if IV r-tPA rates changed. Methods: Onsite coverage was from April 2011 through September 2012 (Group 1). Telestroke only coverage was from October 2012 through July 2013 (Group 2). We reviewed all acute stroke codes and determined which patients were treated with IV r-tPA. We also collected door to needle (DTN) times. Fisher’s exact and independent t-tests were used where appropriate. Results: In Group 1 there were 578 acute stroke codes. 52 of these patients (8.9%) received IV r-tPA. Group 2 had 356 acute stroke codes, 29 of which received IV r-tPA (8.1%). This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.7201). Mean number of patients treated with IV r-tPA per month was 2.8 for Group 1 and 2.9 for Group 2. Mean DTN time was 76.73 min for Group 1 and 90.63 min for Group 2. This shows a trend toward shorter DTN times with bedside assessment but this difference is not statistically significant (p=0.0798). Conclusion: IV r-tPA administration rates do not fall when a telestroke only coverage model replaces an onsite model. This suggests that telestroke coverage is sufficient to maintain IV r-tPA treatment rates, even when vascular neurologists are not available at the bedside.

Abstract TP241: Race-ethnic Differentials Time and Acute Stroke Emergency Presentation: The ASPIRE Study

Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadette Boden-Albala ◽  
Dorothy F Edwards ◽  
Jeffrey J Wing ◽  
Shauna S Clair ◽  
Stephen Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Arrival Time ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Post Intervention

BACKGROUND: There is sparse data about the nature of race-ethnic disparities in the acute stroke setting including differentials in stroke preparedness. The aim of this analysis was to explore race-ethnic differentials in time to arrival for acute stroke in a racial and ethnically diverse urban setting. METHODS: ASPIRE is a multi-dimensional intervention program (community, hospital, and EMS) for acute stroke preparedness targeted to increase IV tPA utilization in underserved black communities in the DC metro area. We prospectively identified stroke admissions and EMS utilization including acute stroke arrival time parameters for the 6 month pre and post intervention periods. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine predictors of arrival time. Proportionality of the hazards was checked. RESULTS: In the 6 month pre-intervention period, data was collected on 943 stroke cases; 53% female; 74% black; mean age 67 yrs. Of the subjects from the pre-intervention period with arrival times less than 48 hrs, the median arrival time to the emergency department (ED) was 9 hours; 20% presented under 3 hours. In multivariable Cox PH models, subjects were 38% more likely to arrive earlier if they had arrived by EMS (HR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.21-1.58). Black subjects were 25% less likely to arrive earlier (HR: 0.75, 95%CI: 0.60-0.93), but this effect was dampened over time (p=0.03). The model included the interaction between black race and time and adjusted for insurance status, risk factors (hypertension and diabetes), gender, age and prior stroke. Ina gender by race analysis, there was a trend towards black women being less likely to arrive earlier to the ED (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.6 -1.0). However, overall, there was no race-ethnic interaction with arrival by EMS. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the perceived perception by the community suggesting there is a disparity in EMS utilization by the black DC community, we found no overall significant racial difference in EMS utilization for acute stroke. While there was a trend towards delayed overall arrival in black females, this was independent of EMS utilization.

Abstract P327: Utilizing Iodine Contrast Extravasation Post Reperfusion and Dual Energy Ct Imaging to Predict Risk of Hemorrhagic Conversion in Acute Stroke Patients

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tri Huynh* ◽  
Niran Vijayaraghavan* ◽  
Hannah Branstetter ◽  
Natalie Buchwald ◽  
Justin De Prey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Infarct Volume ◽  
Reperfusion Therapy ◽  
Dual Energy ◽  
Ct Imaging ◽  
Dual Energy Ct ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Contrast Extravasation ◽  
Post Contrast

Introduction: Hyperintense acute reperfusion marker (HARM) has been identified on post-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be a marker of hemorrhagic conversion (HC) post reperfusion therapy in acute stroke patients. We have previously described a case where MRI HARM was mimicked on post contrast computed topography (CT) imaging in an acute stroke patient post reperfusion. Dual-Energy (DECT) allows for differentiation between acute blood and iodine contrast extravasation (ICE), and thus can have utility when ICE is present. Here we sought to validate whether post-intervention ICE/CT hyperdensity reperfusion maker (CT HARM), and contrast subtracted on DECT is associated with HC in acute stroke patients. Method: Data was obtained from our Institutional Review Board approved stroke admission database from January 2017 to November 2019, including ischemic stroke patients that received thrombolysis or thrombectomy, had evaluable images within 24 hours of admission, and received a DECT. Ischemic volumes of the stroke was measured on diffusion-weighted image (DWI). ICE was measured on CT head and DECT using the freehand 3D region of interest tool on the Visage Imaging PACS System. Susceptibility weighted MRI sequences were used to grade HC. Data analysis was conducted with regression modeling. Results: A total of 82 patients were included, 49% women, median age 73 (interquartile range (IQR), 61- 77), admission NIHSS 12 (IQR, 7 - 21), 24 hour change in NIHSS 4 (IQR, 0 -13), glucose 125 (IQR, 106 -158), creatinine 1.0 (IQR, 0.8 - 1.2), infarct volume 50.6 ± 7.1 mL, 48% treated with thrombectomy, 7% with PH-1 or PH-2 identified on MRI, and 56% with MCA infarcts. ICE volume was 2.6 ± 1.0 mL and DECT volume was 2.2 ± 1.1mL. ICE increased the likelihood of MRI confirmed PH-1 or PH-2 hemorrhagic conversion (odds ratio (OR) 14.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.74 - 22.94) and decreased likelihood of increase in NIHSS at 24 hours (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.40). There were no other significant associations with ICE or DECT volumes. Conclusion: Our results are supportive of our proposed association between CT HARM and risk of HC. More studies are needed to study whether quantitative of DECT can be predictive of stroke outcomes post reperfusion therapy.

Impact of Order-Set Modifications and Provider Education Following Guideline Updates on Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Use in Patients Admitted With Community Acquired Pneumonia

2021 ◽  
pp. 001857872110557
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Colmerauer ◽  
Kristin E. Linder ◽  
Casey J. Dempsey ◽  
Joseph L. Kuti ◽  
David P. Nicolau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Provider Education ◽  
Broad Spectrum Antibiotic ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention Period ◽  
Days Of Therapy ◽  
Order Set

Purpose: Following updates to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) practice guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Adults with Community-acquired Pneumonia in 2019, Hartford HealthCare implemented changes to the community acquired pneumonia (CAP) order-set in August 2020 to reflect criteria for the prescribing of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. The objective of the study was to evaluate changes in broad-spectrum antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) following these order-set updates with accompanying provider education. Methods: This was a multi-center, quasi-experimental, retrospective study of patients with a diagnosis of CAP from September 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019 (pre-intervention) and September 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020 (post-intervention). Patients were identified using ICD-10 codes (A48.1, J10.00-J18.9) indicating lower respiratory tract infection. Data collected included demographics, labs and vitals, radiographic, microbiological, and antibiotic data. The primary outcome was change in broad-spectrum antibiotic DOT, specifically anti-pseudomonal β-lactams and anti-MRSA antibiotics. Secondary outcomes included guideline-concordance of initial antibiotics, utilization of an order-set to prescribe antibiotics, and length of stay (LOS). Results: A total of 331 and 352 patients were included in the pre- and post-intervention cohorts, respectively. There were no differences in order-set usage (10% vs 11.3%, P = .642) between the pre- and post-intervention cohort, respectively. The overall duration of broad-spectrum therapy was a median of 2 days (IQR 0-8 days) in the pre-intervention period and 0 days (IQR 0-4 days) in the post-intervention period ( P < .001). Patients in whom the order-set was used in the post-intervention period were more likely to have guideline-concordant regimens ([36/40] 90% vs [190/312] 60.9%; P = .003). Hospital LOS was shorter in the post-intervention cohort (4.8 days [2.9-7.2 days] vs 5.3 days [IQR 3.5-8.5 days], P = .002). Conclusion: Implementation of an updated CAP order-set with accompanying provider education was associated with reduced use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Opportunities to improve compliance and thus further increase guideline-concordant therapy require investigation.

Abstract W P287: Does Comprehensive Stroke Certification Demonstrate a Significant Effect on Volume and Quality of Care?

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie Paletz ◽  
Shlee Song ◽  
Nili Steiner ◽  
Betty Robertson ◽  
Nicole Wolber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Joint Commission ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Impact

Introduction/Background information: At the onset of acute stroke symptoms, speed, capability, safety and skill are essential-lost minutes can be the difference between full recoveries, poor outcome, or even death. The Joint Commission's Certificate of Distinction for Comprehensive Stroke Centers recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. While many hospitals have been surveyed, Cedars Sinai was the 5 th hospital in the nation to receive this certification. Researchable question: Does Comprehensive stroke certification (CSC) demonstrate a significant effect on volume and quality of care? Methods: We assembled a cross-functional, multidisciplinary expert team representing all departments and skill sets involved in treating stroke patients. We carefully screened eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke We assessed the number of patients treated at Cedars-Sinai with IV-T-pa t 6 months before and then 6 months after CSC and the quality of their care including medical treatment and door to needle time. Results: In the 6 months prior to Joint Commissions Stroke Certification we treated 20 of 395acute stroke patients with t-PA with an average CT turnaround time of 31±19minutes and an average Door to needle time (DTNT) of 68±32minutes. In the 6 months since Joint Commission Stroke Certification we have increased the number of acute stroke patients treated by almost double. There were 37 out of 489(P=0.02, Chi Square) patients treated with IV t-PA with an average CT turnaround time of 22±7minutes (p=0.08, t-test, compared to pre-CSC) and an average DTNT of 61± 23minutes (not different than pre-CSC). Conclusion: We conclude that Joint Commission Certification for stroke was associated with an increased rate of treatment with IV rt-PA in acute ischemic stroke patients. We were not able to document an effect on quality of care. Further studies of the impact of CSC certification are warranted.

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