Abstract TP351: A Collaborative Approach to Emergency Medical Service Stroke Training

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of stroke is expected to increase. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel play a critical role in the chain of survival for stroke with more than half of stroke patients utilizing EMS to access initial medical care. National guidelines recommend EMS educational programs with objectives that support steps considered critical for the use of time dependent therapies. Value Health Partners (VHP), an unique quality collaboration between seven nonaffiliated hospitals with a combined annual stroke admission volume of 2,756 and service covering 44 of the 81 Michigan counties, has developed a strategy to bring Advanced Stroke Life Support (ASLS) ® training to their service areas. The curriculum targets National guideline objectives using interactive discussion, hands on demonstration and is designed in a train the trainer format. Purpose: The purpose of this collaborative quality project is to utilize validated curriculum to improve and standardize pre-hospital care for patients with stroke symptoms within a large reach of Michigan communities. Methods: Stroke clinical leaders from VHP met to coordinate the initiative with Michigan Department of Community Health and EMS. A grant to underwrite the cost of implementing the curriculum was written and accepted. Leaders collaborated on the development of a training schedule, implementation guide, advertising and registration process. Metrics were identified for future project impact analysis. Grant funds were allocated and a registration fee was identified as a strategy for securing future implementation funds. Results: The collaboration and development of an implementation process among nonaffiliated hospitals established standardized training for EMS on pre-hospital stroke care which when completed will cover more than half of the state. Conclusions: Nonaffiliated hospital and state level quality collaborations encourage networking, support standardization of best practice processes within a state and provide a potential significant impact on the health of the communities we serve.