Abstract TP298: Measuring Quality of Care for Acute Ischemic Stroke Treated With Acute Reperfusion Therapy in Japan: A Nationwide Quality Improvement Initiative of the J-aspect Study

Abstract

Background and Purpose: There is no consensus about efficiently measuring quality indicators (QIs) of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in Japan. To evaluate feasibility and reliability of measuring QIs for AIS patients who received intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) or endovascular therapy (ET), by combining information from health insurance claims database and medical chart. Methods: AIS patients who received rt-PA or ET between 2013 and 2015 were identified from the J-ASPECT Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database. The 17 and 8 QI measures for primary and comprehensive stroke centers (PSCs and CSCs) were selected for AIS, respectively. More than 60% of data for calculating the QIs were obtained from the DPC database and preset in the tool. Responsible physicians were asked to review accuracy of preset data and add necessary information from medical chart. Adherence rates or performance measures for each QI were calculated for patient- and hospital-levels. Associations between adherence rates and hospital characteristics were analyzed using hierarchical logistic regression analysis. Result: In total, data of 8,506 patients (rt-PA 83.5%, ET 34.9%) from 173 hospitals were obtained. The median age was 76 (interquartile range 65–83) years, and 42.1% were women. Median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission was 14 (7-21). All of the target QIs were successfully measured. Among PSC QIs, adherence rates were low (<50%) (e.g. door-to-needle time < 60 minutes 37.9%) and intermediate (50-75%) (e.g. stroke unit care 58.7%) in 4 each. For CSC QIs, median door-to-puncture time was 105 (76-147) minutes and TICI grade 2b and 3 recanalization were achieved in 73%. A higher number of stroke discharge was associated with greater adherence to stroke unit care, early rehabilitation and stroke education. Conclusion: Measuring QIs of AIS by this novel approach was feasible and reliable to provide a national benchmark.