Abstract TP254: A Comparison of Models for Evaluation and Transfer of Patients With Suspected Large Vessel Occlusions

Abstract

Introduction: Mechanisms for the hospital identification of patients with suspected large vessel occlusions (LVO) vary widely based on referring and receiving stroke center resources. We compared processes for identifying patients with suspected LVO who may be candidates for endovascular therapy (EVT) at non-EVT hospitals and the criteria for interfacility transport to Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSC) for potential EVT. Methods: Data were obtained from 4 CSC which serve distinct geographic regions, ranging from rural to urban environments, over a continuous 12 month period of time beginning year 2018. Patients transferred from all referring hospitals to these facilities were considered regardless of hospital affiliations (n=2213). Geographic description, imaging modalities and form of emergent neurologic consultation available and utilized, rates of stroke transfers for EVT, and rates of final EVT were recorded. Results: The process for identifying a patient with a likely LVO appropriate for interfacility transfer varied greatly by referring and receiving hospital (table). The intensity of referring hospital evaluation ranged from complete multimodal CT imaging and either onsite or video telestroke consultation with access to neuroimaging to simple noncontrast CT and telephone consultation. Rates of transfer and eventual EVT varied across the centers. Further details of the form of stroke expertise, penumbral imaging criteria, unique geographic variances, criteria for transfer, and final utilization of EVT will be presented. Conclusions: Optimal interfacility transfer procedures are essential to ensure patients with LVO are considered in a timely fashion, and that over triage does not overwhelm receiving CSC. We found significant process variations in identifying EVT candidates for interfacility transfer. Providing examples of multiple best practices allows for other centers to identify potential solutions for their unique circumstances.