Abstract WMP33: Longitudinal Use Of The American Stroke Association Time Tracker Tool To Reduce Door To Needle And Door To Device Times In Stroke

Abstract

Introduction: The faster IV Alteplase and mechanical thrombectomy is initiated in acute ischemic stroke, the better the outcome. Delays can significantly impact times to treatment. A mechanism to communicate time targets to code stroke teams can play an important role in providing knowledge about time sensitive metrics. The utilization of the ASA Stroke Time Tracker tool was created to improve communication in a timely manner to stroke teams providing acute treatment. The emphasis is on the education of time targets to improve door to treatment times. Hypothesis: To explore whether the use of the American Stroke Association Time Tracker tool as a communication instrument is associated with improved DTN and DTD times in both direct and transfer patients. Methods: In March 2020 the application of the ASA time tracker tool was introduced. A retrospective review revealed that DTN times improved from 58.7% to 71.6 % for those receiving t-PA within 45 minutes or less during the period the tool was in use. To explore whether timely feedback using the Time Tracker tool was associated with improved DTD times, mechanical thrombectomy data including DTD was collected and communicated to stroke care teams in April 2021. Compilation of time sensitive metrics in the evaluation of DTN times continued through Q2 2021. A retrospective analysis was conducted. Results: For those who received IV Alteplase, the percentage of patients treated within 30 minutes continued to improve, 21.1% (Q3 2020) vs. 35.7% (Q2 2021). The percentage of patients treated within 45 minutes also improved from 71.8% (Q3 2020) to 80.0% (Q2 2021). In patients who received endovascular therapy during Quarter 3 2020, 56.1% met the advanced therapy AHA Elite Plus criteria of DTD within 60 minutes (transfer patients) OR within 90 minutes (direct admit). This improved to 73.1% patients in Quarter 2 2021, during the use of the tool. Conclusions: There is an association between use of the ASA Time Tracker tool and improved DTN and DTD times. Further study should include continued use of the tool to confirm an association between direct communication with Code Stroke teams and improved treatment times.