Process Improvement to Enhance Existing Stroke Team Activity Toward More Timely Thrombolytic Treatment

Background and Purpose

Process improvement (PI) is an approach for enhancing the existing quality improvement process by making changes while keeping the existing process. We have shown that implementation of a stroke code program using a computerized physician order entry system is effective in reducing the in-hospital time delay to thrombolysis in acute stroke patients. We investigated whether implementation of this PI could further reduce the time delays by continuous improvement of the existing process.

Methods

After determining a key indicator [time interval from emergency department (ED) arrival to intravenous (IV) thrombolysis] and conducting data analysis, the target time from ED arrival to IV thrombolysis in acute stroke patients was set at 40 min. The key indicator was monitored continuously at a weekly stroke conference. The possible reasons for the delay were determined in cases for which IV thrombolysis was not administered within the target time and, where possible, the problems were corrected. The time intervals from ED arrival to the various evaluation steps and treatment before and after implementation of the PI were compared.

Results

The median time interval from ED arrival to IV thrombolysis in acute stroke patients was significantly reduced after implementation of the PI (from 63.5 to 45 min, p=0.001). The variation in the time interval was also reduced. A reduction in the evaluation time intervals was achieved after the PI [from 23 to 17 min for computed tomography scanning (p=0.003) and from 35 to 29 min for complete blood counts (p=0.006)].

Conclusions

PI is effective for continuous improvement of the existing process by reducing the time delays between ED arrival and IV thrombolysis in acute stroke patients.     

FASTER (Face, Arm, Speech, Time, Emergency Response): experience of Central Coast Stroke Services implementation of a pre-hospital notification system for expedient management of acute stroke

Despite benefit in acute ischaemic stroke, less than 3% of patients receive tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in Australia. The FASTER (Face, Arm, Speech, Time, Emergency Response) protocol was constructed to reduce pre-hospital and Emergency Department (ED) delays and improve access to thrombolysis. This study aimed to determine if introduction of the FASTER protocol increases use of tPA using a prospective pre- and post-intervention cohort design in a metropolitan hospital. A pre-hospital assessment tool was used by ambulance services to screen potential tPA candidates. The acute stroke team was contacted, hospital bypass allowed, triage and CT radiology alerted, and the patient rapidly assessed on arrival to ED. Data were collected prospectively during the first 6 months of the new pathway and compared to a 6-month period 12 months prior to protocol initiation. In the 6 months following protocol introduction, 115 patients presented within 24 hours of onset of an ischaemic stroke: 22 (19%) received thrombolysis, significantly greater than five (7%) of 67 patients over the control period, p=0.03. Overall, 42 patients were referred via the FASTER pathway, with 21 of these receiving tPA (50%). One inpatient stroke was also treated. Only two referrals (<5%) were stroke mimics. Introduction of the FASTER pathway also significantly reduced time to thrombolysis and time to admission to the stroke unit. Therefore, fast-track referral of potential tPA patients involving the ambulance services and streamlined hospital assessment is effective and efficient in improving patient access to thrombolysis.     

The yield of expanding the therapeutic time window for tPA

OBJECTIVES: Intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for acute ischemic stroke has been proved to be effective when given within 3 h of onset of stroke symptoms. Partly due to this time limit, less than 10% of stroke patients are treated with tPA. This study assessed the potential for increased tPA utilization with a theoretical time limit of 6 h. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 117 patients admitted with a diagnosis of acute cerebrovascular disease were prospectively registered over a 3-month period, with emphasis on timing and criteria for tPA treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-eight of 117 patients (75%) had an acute ischemic stroke. Of these, 23% arrived within 3 h, 8% within 3-6 h, and 69% later than 6 h after symptom onset. Of the seven patients in the 3-6 h group, only one had time delay as the only contraindication to tPA. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that reducing patient delay, rather than increasing the time limit for thrombolytic treatment, may increase the frequency of tPA utilization. Changing time limits for thrombolysis may reduce time delay from stroke onset to arrival in hospital due to more rapid handling of patients by the emergency medical services.     

早期就诊的急性缺血性卒中病人未溶栓原因分析

目的:研究6小时内到达医院就诊的急性缺血性脑卒中未进行溶栓治疗的原因。方法:通过对实施急性脑血管病急诊绿色通道1年期间,发病6小时内就诊的患者未进行溶栓治疗的原因进行分析。结果:166例缺血性脑卒中患者在发病6小时内经急诊绿色通道就诊,81例符合溶栓条件的患者中47例接受溶栓治疗,占符合溶栓条件患者28.31%。溶栓患者平均发病时间(211.70±86.10)min,NIHSS评分10(范围5～22)。静脉溶栓25例,动脉溶栓22例。从发病至静脉溶栓平均开始时间为(55.48±26.01)min,明显短于动脉溶栓平均开始时间(86.59±40.40)min(P=0.003)。119例未进行溶栓治疗患者中不符合条件85例,符合条件而未溶34例(占20.48%)。发病6小时内就诊的患者未溶栓的原因有神经功能障碍轻或明显改善、早期显示病灶、脑栓塞以及家属或患者拒绝。结论:发病6小时内就诊的患者未进行溶栓的可调整原因主要是家属或患者拒绝。加强公众对脑卒中的了解及接受程度有助于提高溶栓比例。     

In-hospital delays to stroke thrombolysis: paradoxical effect of early arrival

OBJECTIVE: To determine the causes of in-hospital delays for thrombolysis. METHODS: We performed a 4 year retrospective chart analysis of i.v. tPA-treated patients at an academic medical center. Data collected included age, stroke severity by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the following time points: symptom onset, hospital arrival, computed tomography (CT), i.v. tPA order and i.v. tPA initiation of infusion. RESULTS: Thirty-one cases with sufficient information for analysis were identified. Mean time from onset to arrival was 58 minutes, from arrival to brain CT was 32 minutes, and from onset to i.v. rtPA infusion was 169 minutes. The mean delay between i.v. tPA order and infusion was 32 minutes. Delay between order and administration of i.v. tPA resulted in treatment after 3 hours in 9/31 cases. An inverse relationship between early hospital arrival and delayed thrombolysis was noted. Age and stroke severity did not impact treatment times. CONCLUSION: An unexpected delay between order and actual initiation of i.v. tPA infusion resulted in almost one-third of patients receiving thrombolytics after 3 hours from symptom onset. The cause of this delay could not be discerned by this study. The paradoxical effect between early arrival to hospital and delayed treatment may be related to a sense of urgency in those arriving close to 3 hours after onset. Critical reviews such as this permit identification of hospital delays in stroke treatment, thus allowing institution of appropriate strategies to ensure prompt treatment.     

The chain of care enabling tPA treatment in acute ischemic stroke: a comprehensive review of organisational models

Protracted and partial implementation of treatment with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) within 4.5 h after acute stroke onset results in potentially eligible patients not receiving optimal treatment. The goal of this study was to review the performance of various organisational models of acute stroke care delivery, and subsequent attempts to improve implementation of tPA treatment. Publications comprehensively reporting on organisational models to improve implementation of i.v. tPA treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients were selected. The efficacy of organisational models was assessed using process outcome measures: thrombolysis rates, time-dependent operational endpoints (time delays), functional outcomes: safety (rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, mortality rates) and clinical outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale). Fifty-eight published studies assessing organisational models were identified. Four dominant models of acute stroke care delivery were discerned, i.e., primary and comprehensive stroke centres, telemedicine, and the mobile stroke unit. Performance reported for these models suggest a large variation in administration of thrombolytic therapy (0.7–30 %). Time delays and functional outcomes found varied considerably, just like safety and mortality (0.0–11.5 %, and 3.4–31.9 %, respectively). These findings suggest that improving organisational models for tPA treatment may improve acute stroke care. However, implementation may be hampered by regional variation in acute stroke care capacity, expertise, and a fragmented approach towards organising stroke care.     

Emergency physician attitudes toward thrombolytic therapy in acute stroke

Background: Intravenous use of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) is the only currently approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Methods: To determine emergency physician attitudes and practices with regard to thrombolysis for ischemic stroke, a questionnaire was sent to program directors of accredited emergency medicine residencies in the United States. Results: There were 73 program directors who responded to the survey; 71% of medical centers have used TPA for treatment of stroke. The reported major complication rate for cerebral hemorrhage and death averaged 7%. For nontreating centers, two major factors cited were lack of appropriate patients and concerns regarding the safety of TPA; 48% of the facilities do not have an acute stroke team. Delayed patient arrival and the perceived narrow risk/benefit ratio of TPA were identified as the two greatest obstacles to more widespread use of TPA. Conclusion: Although the majority of medical centers that responded in this study have some experience with thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke, almost one half do not have an acute stroke team and considerable uncertainty exists regarding the safety of intravenous TPA. More uniform national treatment of acute stroke will require greater consensus among emergency physicians and further analysis of the risk/benefit ratio of thrombolytic treatment.     

Referral and care for acute ischemic stroke in a Japanese tertiary emergency hospital

To examine the current emergency referral and care for acute stroke at a Japanese tertiary emergency hospital with a 24-h stroke team and care unit, we surveyed the presentations of patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) seen within 7 days of onset. Delay from symptom onset to arrival at our hospital, from arrival to initial diagnostic brain computed tomography (CT), and the type of anti-thrombotic treatments were evaluated. During the 18-month period, there were 254 ischemic events in 244 patients; 239 (94%) had an ischemic stroke and 15 (6%) TIA. Eighty-two (32%) events presented within 3 h of onset, and 102 (40%) and 179 (70%) within the first 6 and 24 h, respectively. The median delay from hospital arrival to CT was 32 min, ranging 10 min to 22 h. Two hundred (79%) events underwent CT within 1 h of arrival (n=172) or at the referral hospitals before transfer (n=28). Direct ambulance transportation and more severe neurological deficits were independent predictors both for early arrival and short in-hospital delay to CT. Anti-thrombotic therapies including anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet medications were given in 237 (93%) episodes. Two (1%) patients received thrombolysis, although 18 (7%) patients fulfilled the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke guidelines for intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator. As in western communities, our pre-hospital emergency referral systems for acute stroke require substantial improvements including the wider use of ambulance calling. Although our in-hospital stroke management is functioning relatively well, further efforts are necessary in reducing the diagnostic delay.     

Improvement in stroke quality management by an educational programme

Time after symptom onset in ischaemic stroke has to be as short as possible to increase success of treatment. We prospectively analysed latencies from symptom onset until the start of therapy and the rate of thrombolysis in 196 patients with suspected stroke sequentially admitted to the hospital before (6 weeks prior, n = 83) and after (n = 113) initiating an educational stroke programme (EP). A total of 345 dispatchers, paramedics, and emergency staff were trained, each person for at least 2 h. The mean pre-hospital time interval from symptom onset until admission was significantly decreased by nearly 2 h (p < 0.05). Thrombolytic therapy frequencies increased from 2 to 10.5% (p < 0.01) because the overall mean time interval from admission to the start of therapy significantly decreased (p < 0.01) by 69 min after the EP, with increasing numbers of patients suitable for acute stroke therapies within a 0- to 3-hour treatment window.     

后循环脑梗死急诊溶栓的影响因素分析

目的 研究影响急性后循环脑梗死溶栓率的主要原因。 方法 回顾性分析2014年6月-2016年6月就诊于首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院神经内科急诊的急 性后循环脑梗死患者,纳入发病至就诊时间≤3.5 h有溶栓适应证的患者,分析患者临床资料、是否 溶栓及未溶栓原因。 结果 本研究共收集急性后循环脑梗死患者67例,满足入组标准的患者共25例（37.3%）,平均 年龄（64.6±11.9）岁,其中男性16例（64%）,最终有7例（28%）接受静脉重组组织型纤溶酶原激活 物（recombinant tissue plasminogen activator,rt-PA）溶栓,18例未接受溶栓。两组患者就诊时的美国 国立卫生研究院卒中量表（National Institute of Health Stroke Scale,NIHSS）评分差异有显著性,溶 栓组NIHSS评分（中位数6,四分位数间距5～13）明显高于未溶栓组（中位数1,四分位数间距0.75～2） （P =0.007）。溶栓组患者就诊-溶栓时间平均为（71.4±13.8）min,未溶栓组患者完成溶栓评估所 有检查所需的平均时间为（90.3±30.8）min,两组时间比较差异有显著性（P =0.046）。溶栓组患 者发病-就诊时间平均为（140.7±48.5）mi n,与未溶栓组患者（144.7±56.4）mi n比较,差异无显著 性（P =0.87）。未溶栓组患者就诊1周后复测NIHSS评分（中位数1,四分位数间距0～3.25）与就诊时的 NIHSS评分比较,虽差异无显著性（P =0.125）,但有6例（33.3%）患者病情加重。 结论 发病后未能及时就诊仍是影响后循环脑梗死急诊溶栓率的主要因素,NIHSS评分低估后循环 脑梗死病情、临床医生对轻型卒中溶栓不够重视是导致后循环轻型脑梗死院内延误、溶栓率较低 的主要原因。     

小组配合抢救模式在神经外科急危重症术前抢救中的应用效果

目的探讨小组配合抢救模式在神经外科急危重症患者术前抢救中的应用效果。方法选取我科2016年2月至2016年11月急诊入院手术患者60例为观察组,2015年5月至2016年1月急诊入院手术患者60例为对照组;观察组采用小组配合抢救模式接诊抢救,对照组采用当班护士接诊抢救。结果观察组喉罩置入建立人工气道时间、血管活性药物使用显效时间、患者入科至送入手术间时间均短于对照组(P0.05)、健康宣教落实质量均优于对照组(P0.01)、护理病历书写质量优于对照组(P0.05)。结论将小组配合抢救模式应用到神经外科急危重症患者术前抢救中,能提高护士抢救配合的主动性、准确性以及默契性,缩短术前抢救时间确保手术顺利进行,有效提高抢救成功率。     

Body temperature and outcome after stroke thrombolysis

AIMS: We studied whether baseline body temperature and temperature increases after stroke adversely affect outcome after thrombolysis with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA). METHODS: The evolution of body temperature in the first 24 h after treatment with IV tPA was described by calculating the area under the curve of the temperature over time plot relative to temperature at admission (AUCBL) and relative to a standard value of 37 degrees C (AUC37). Temperature parameters were related to functional outcome. RESULTS: The median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of 100 consecutive patients was 16 (interquartile range 11-21) and 34 patients had a favourable response to tPA. Patients with an unfavourable outcome had a more important temperature elevation than patients who had a favourable outcome after tPA (+1 degrees C vs +0.6 degrees C, P=0.02), despite similar baseline T and had a higher AUCBL (9.79 vs 5.36, P=0.027) and more frequently showed hyperthermia relative to baseline (82% vs 56%, P=0.011). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, the presence of hyperthermia relative to baseline was associated with a reduced odds of good outcome after thrombolysis (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.10-0.95, P=0.040). CONCLUSION: Hyperthermia relative to baseline temperature in the 24 h after intravenous thrombolysis is associated with an unfavourable outcome.     

改善就医流程缩短急性缺血性卒中患者门-针时间研究

目的探讨改善急诊就医流程对急性缺血性卒中患者入院至静脉溶栓门-针时间(door-to-needle time,DNT)的影响。方法以2015年1月~4月重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(recombinant tissue plasminogen activator,rt-PA)静脉溶栓的急性缺血性卒中患者为试验组,试验组在启动绿色通道后立即给患者及家属佩带明显标识,并将分诊护士对患者的筛查纳入绿色通道的管理流程,同时将rt-PA静脉溶栓地点由病房前移到急诊室。以2014年1月~4月改善流程前rt-PA静脉溶栓的急性缺血性卒中患者为对照组,评价两组患者DNT时间。结果对照组DNT时间中位数133(80~174)min,试验组DNT时间102(56~168)min,两组有显著差异(P=0.011)。结论通过多学科配合实施一系列的综合措施,优化急性缺血性卒中患者急诊就医流程,可以减少rt-PA静脉溶栓的院内延误时间。     

Benefits of a prehospital stroke code system. Feasibility and efficacy in the first year of clinical practice in Barcelona, Spain

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hospital admission delay is a main limiting factor for effective thrombolytic therapy in stroke patients. We developed a stroke code system for rapid request of emergency transportation to the hospital and a priority availability of the attending neurologist on the patient's arrival at the Emergency Department (ED). METHODS: Over a 1-year period, a 24-hour telephone hotline between the attending neurologist and the Barcelona public emergency coordination service was established. Priority 1 (P1) was defined as a patient with symptoms suggestive of acute stroke with onset of less than 3 h, in which case immediate transportation service and rapid ED reception was organized. Data from patients in the P1 group (n = 39) and patients without activation of the stroke code (P0) (n = 181) were compared. RESULTS: There were significant differences between P1 and P0 groups in mean time from ED arrival to request for neurologic assessment (4.4 +/- 19.5 vs. 194.7 +/- 244.9 min, p < 0.001), from arrival to neurologic examination (12.6 +/- 21.1 vs. 225.3 +/- 258.2 min, p < 0.005), and from arrival to performance of brain CT scan (35.5 +/- 34.9 vs.120.3 +/- 143.2 min, p < 0.001), and also in the number of patients treated with thrombolytic agents (19 vs. 4.5%, p < 0.003). There were no differences between groups in the time elapsed from stroke onset to ED arrival. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of the stroke code was effective in increasing the percentage of patients treated with thrombolytic drugs and also in shortening the delay from ED arrival until neurologic assessment and from ED arrival until brain CT.     

Universal laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 in hyperacute stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveStroke patients are thought to be at increased risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). To evaluate yield of universal laboratory testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in acute stroke patients and its impact on hyperacute stroke care.MethodsBetween weeks 14 and 18 in 2020, a protected code stroke protocol including infection control screening and laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 was prospectively implemented for all code stroke patients upon arrival to the emergency department. If infection control screen was positive, patients received protective hygienic measures and laboratory test results were available within four hours from testing. In patients with negative screen, laboratory results were available no later than the next working day. Door-to-imaging times of patients treated with thrombolysis or thrombectomy were compared with those of patients treated during the preceding weeks 1 to 13 in 2020.ResultsDuring the 4-weeks study period, 116 consecutive code stroke patients underwent infection control screen and laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2. Among 5 (4.3%) patients whose infection control screen was positive, no patient was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. All patients with negative infection control screens had negative test results. Door-to-imaging times of patients treated with thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy were not different to those treated during the preceding weeks (12 [9-15] min versus 13 [11-17] min, p = 0.24).ConclusionsUniversal laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 provided useful information on patients’ infection status and its implementation into a protected code stroke protocol did not adversely affect hyperacute stroke care.     

Utilization of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND: Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the only approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke, although only 2% of patients with stroke receive intravenous tPA nationally. OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of tPA use for stroke in the Cleveland, Ohio, community and the reasons why patients were excluded from thrombolysis treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Community.Subjects Patients admitted because of stroke to the 9 Cleveland Clinic Health System hospitals from June 15, 1999, to June 15, 2000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Utilization of intravenous tPA and reasons for ineligibility. RESULTS: There were 1923 admissions for ischemic stroke in the 1-year period. Of these, 288 (15.0%) arrived within the 3-hour time window, and approximately 6.9% were considered eligible for tPA. The most common reasons for exclusion among patients arriving within 3 hours were mild neurologic impairment and rapidly improving symptoms. The overall rate of tPA use among patients presenting within 3 hours was 19.4%, and the rate of use among eligible patients was 43.4% (n = 56). The use of tPA did not differ significantly according to race or sex. CONCLUSIONS: Only 15% of patients arrived within the 3-hour time window for intravenous tPA, making delay in presentation the most common reason patients were ineligible for i.v. thrombolysis. Neurologic criteria were the second most common group of exclusions. Overall tPA use was low, but it was used in nearly half of all patients with no documented contraindications. Intravenous tPA use in a community setting can compare favorably with the rate of use seen in academic medical settings.     

Creation of a regional stroke network in Tours hospital (France): consequences for stroke care and thrombolysis

INTRODUCTION: Our university hospital serves a population of 300 000 inhabitants. Stroke is the leading cause of admission in our department of neurology. In June 2003, when the Emergency Department (ED) was closed in our institution, was created an acute stroke network (ASN), comprising 2 beds of direct admission and thrombolysis in the intensive care unit, and 4 beds dedicated to stroke care in the department of neurology, in which standardized stroke care protocols were implemented. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in stroke care related to the creation of the ASN in terms of delays of arrival, imaging, use of intravenous (IV) thrombolysis, and outcome of patients. We conducted a prospective study during 18 months to evaluate characteristics of patients admitted with suspected stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the newly created ASN and to assess conditions of treatment with IV thrombolysis in terms of safety and efficacy. We also compared the outcome data before and after the creation of the ASN. METHODS: For each patient admitted in our hospital for suspected stroke or TIA, were prospectively collected clinical and outcome data (age, mode of transport, delay of arrival after the onset of symptoms (OS), treatment with IV thrombolysis, outcome and discharge). This study was conducted in the ED during six months in 2002, and in the ASN during 18 months, for all patients admitted for stroke. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty four patients were admitted in the ASN. Emergency medical services (EMS) were used in half of cases for transport, and median delay of admission after the OS was 2h and 52 min. Median delay of imaging was 1 h and 45 min. Seventeen patients (8.5 p. 100 of ischemic stroke patients) were treated with IV thrombolysis, with an initial good outcome in 9 patients, 7 with a dramatic recovery). The main reason for therapeutic abstention for untreated patients admitted in the first 3 hours was a mild deficit with a NIHSS<6. Compared with the previous management in the ED, patients in the ASN were younger, had more severe neurological symptoms, the EMS transport was the main mode of transport (versus used in 17 p. 100 of cases in 2002), and the delay of admission was significantly lower: 2 h 52 versus 5 h 10 (p<0.02). After adjustment on the main predictive factors, only patients with hemorrhagic strokes had a better outcome after the creation of the ASN. CONCLUSIONS: Creation of an ASN was associated with a significant decrease of admission and imaging delays, due to a strong collaboration with EMS, and with a better outcome for hemorrhagic stroke patients. Treatment with intravenous thrombolysis in the first 3 hours could be used widely and was efficient and safe. However, the creation of dedicated stroke units for all stroke patients remains necessary to improve quality of care and outcome.     

Obstacles to the use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke. Is time the only barrier?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The short time window is frequently cited as the main reason for exclusion of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in acute stroke. Identifying and circumventing barriers to thrombolysis other than time could increase the frequency of treatment. The goal of this study was to identify whether the rate of treatment with tPA would increase if time window was not an obstacle to treatment. METHODS: In four hospitals we prospectively recorded the rate of tPA use in consecutive patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke and in those admitted within 3 hours, the reasons why thrombolysis was not given, and the potential gain in the rate of tPA use if all patients had been admitted within 3 hours considering all exclusion criteria other than time. RESULTS: We recruited 486 patients (258 men; mean age, 70.4 +/- 13.5 years), of whom 154 (31.7%) were admitted within 3 hours. The time of stroke onset was unknown in 28 (5.8%). The rate of tPA use was 11.1% in the whole study population and 35.1% in those admitted within 3 hours. In 'eligible' patients, TIA in 33 patients (21.4%), age >80 years in 27 (17.5%), mild stroke in 27 (17.5%), rapidly recovering stroke in 9 (5.8%), a too long door-to-needle time in 8 (5.2%), and severe hypertension in 5 (3.2%) were the main reasons for not to treat. Two patients were not treated despite the absence of documented reasons. If all patients had hypothetically been admitted within 3 hours, the rate of tPA use would have increased from 11.1% up to 27.9% of the whole population and up to 37.4% if aged patients and those with no documented reasons or with a rapidly recovering stroke had also been considered for treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed presentation to hospital is the main factor limiting the use of thrombolysis in acute stroke, but additional patients would be treated if those with no contraindication, advanced age or rapidly recovering stroke were considered as eligible.     

护士对急性缺血性卒中早期治疗的作用

在缺血性卒中急性期治疗中 , 经过训练的执业护士可以充当急诊重组组织型纤溶酶原激 活剂 （recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, rt-PA） 静脉溶栓团队的协调者和领导者, 使溶栓团队更 快速有效的运行, 减少患者的门-针时间, 还可能减少患者在急诊的等待时间, 提高患者的卒中单元 入住率, 减少住院延误时间。 在卒中单元针对缺血性卒中患者的急性期治疗中 , 执业护士的配比高对 减少患者的死亡率, 改善患者的预后起重要作用。     

Ursachen einer verlängerten Prähospitalphase bei Stroke-Unit-Patienten

Since stroke has become a medical emergency because intravenous tissue plasminogen activator improves outcome after ischemic stroke within 3 h of symptom onset, the focus of acute stroke management lies on the prehospital phase. Having the worst median time of emergency department arrival after stroke onset according to nationwide statistics, we examined the factors influencing a late admission of 174 consecutive patients to our stroke unit and the effects of a public campaign over 5 months. The median time from symptom onset to arrival was 5.2 h; 36.4% of patients presented within 3 h at hospital. A high level of education, knowledge of the time window, direct contact with an emergency facility after stroke onset, high number of known symptoms, not living alone, and a stroke in the past were connected with an earlier presentation. The public campaign had a positive effect on median time of symptom onset to arrival from 12 h in July, 7.2 in August, 4.7 in October, 5.2 in November, and 3.2 in December 2002. This had a favorable effect on the number of thrombolysis.