Abstract TP117: Improving Thrombolysis Door-to-Needle Time With a Multi-Pronged Approach

Abstract

Introduction: Reducing door-to-needle (DTN) times lead to improved patient outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. We sought to use innovative methods to continuously reduce the DTN time, with the specific goal of consistently achieving a median DTN time < 30 minutes. Methods: At an academic Comprehensive Stroke Center, we implemented these strategies to reduce the DTN time: 1) Addition of a virtual DTN timer in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) to display elapsed time since arrival.2) Creation of a multidisciplinary Thrombolysis Focus Group to analyze data and improve processes. Additional monthly quality improvement meetings were held to discuss all thrombolysis cases with times over our median. 3) Reduction of EMR barriers to recognize metric exclusion criteria and document accordingly. 4) Review of each thrombolysis case with direct provider feedback and an opportunity to appropriately document and clarify delays. 5) Addition of Specialized Neurovascular APPs responding to every Code Stroke with Neurology resident physicians.6) Creation of a “Golden Needle” award to recognize providers who achieved the fastest DTN time in the year. Results: The median DTN time steadily decreased over 3 academic years. The median DTN time was 40 minutes in 2020, 39 in 2021, 38 in 2022 and 36 in year-to-date 2023. Additionally, the percentage of thrombolysis cases meeting the institutional goal of < 30 minutes improved from 21.5% in 2020, to 31.9% in 2021, to 59.6% in 2022, to 88.6% in year-to-date 2023 (figure). Conclusion: Novel multifaceted measures surrounding acute stroke thrombolysis can positively impact both the door-to-needle time and percent of cases within the institutional DTN time goal. Figure: Percentage of Thrombolysis Cases with DTN < 30 Minutes