Does prolonged emergency department length of stay(EDLOS) affect the outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients?

Abstract

The effect of emergency department length of stay (EDLOS) on outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains largely unexamined. We aimed to investigate the association between EDLOS and outcomes in AIS patients. 618 AIS patients were enrolled. Baseline demographics, vascular risk factors, ED admission information, hyperacute treatment of AIS and stroke severity were collected. Stroke progression was defined as any new neurological symptoms/signs or any neurological worsening within 7days after stroke onset and poor prognosis was defined as modified Rankin Scale(mRS) scores>2 at 30day. The effect of EDLOS on stroke progression and prognosis was assessed. The median EDLOS was 2.5h (1.4-6.9h). On multivariable linear regression, presentation month between Apr. and Jun., admission at the ED between 7am to 3pm(P=0.036), transferring to stroke unit, receiving endovascular interventional treatment, onset on holidays, and progressive stroke were associated with shorter EDLOS(all P<0.05). A shorter EDLOS was significantly associated with an increased risk of stroke progression (P=0.007). Patients with the lowest EDLOS (≤1.35h) were 2-3 fold more likely to have stroke progression, compared with those with the highest EDLOS (>6.93h) (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.29-4.93; P=0.043). However, no significant association between EDLOS and stroke prognosis was revealed. In AIS patients, shorter EDLOS was associated with the increased risk of stroke progression, possibly reflecting prioritized admission of more severely affected patients at high risk of stroke progression. EDLOS alone might be an insufficient indicator of stroke care in the ED.