Abstract TP353: Stroke Alert: A Process That Works

Abstract

Background and Issues: Stroke, an interruption of blood supply to the brain, can leave patients with devastating neurologic deficits. To diagnose and treat hospitalized patients with stroke, this university hospital had a Stroke Alert (SA) system in place, with the goal of minimizing devastating sequella of each event. In early 2015, a need to strengthen the in-house SA was recognized. At this time, the response to SA was a neurology physician, who coordinated care. Recognition of stroke and activation of this alert had been underutilized. Purpose: To raise stroke awareness, to increase SA activations, and to bring timely and appropriate treatment to in-patients experiencing stroke, a process change was enacted. Methods: In February, 2015, the Stroke Program Manager introduced the concept of involving the Rapid Response Team (RRT) and RRT nurses in the SA. The RRT nurses received targeted stroke education, as well as house-wide education in recognition of signs and symptoms of stroke, as well as activation of the system. RRT was then activated with each SA. To measure the effectiveness of this process change, the number of SAs were counted and calculated to a rate per 1000 patient days. The results were graphed and compared. Results: The rate of SA per 1000 patient days was 0.793 in 1Q15, and rose to 1.626 by 1Q17. Conclusions: This data suggests the involvement of RRT, RRT nurses, and house-wide education contributed to an increase in SA activations. This increase in activations increased the opportunity to bring timely and appropriate treatment to in-patients experiencing stroke.