Influence of stroke coordinators on delivery of acute stroke care and hospital outcomes: An observational study

Improving multidisciplinary hospital care for acute cerebral circulation disorders in Kazakhstan

Background

According to the World Stroke Organization, there was a significant increase in stroke cases, stroke deaths, and the DALY rate in low- and middle-income countries in 2022. The number of stroke cases rose by 70.0%, stroke deaths reached 86.0%, and the DALY rate reached 89.0%. Among cerebrovascular diseases, ischemic stroke accounts for 62.0% of all strokes, with more than 7.6 million cases reported annually.Kazakhstan, with a population of 19,832,737, is the largest country in Central Asia in terms of territory. In Kazakhstan, the incidence of cerebrovascular disease has risen from 258.4 cases per 100,000 population in 2015 to 433.7 cases per 100,000 population in 2020. Official statistics indicate that the average inpatient mortality rate from stroke in the country is 16.2%, and the average time for patients to be delivered to the hospital after an ambulance call is 40 min (83.2%).Our study findings reveal that in the regions of Kazakhstan, the main contributors to the high morbidity and mortality rates in stroke are a shortage of doctors, inadequate primary healthcare, insufficient follow-up and treatment, and delayed hospitalization. Consequently, this study has helped fill knowledge gaps regarding the epidemiological situation in these regions and underscores the need for training doctors in managing high-risk patients, establishing multidisciplinary home visit teams, and establishing "Stroke Schools" to enhance public awareness of early stroke signs and the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle. Future research endeavors should consider these study results as valuable contributions towards addressing the existing problems.

Aim

To study the prevalence and mortality of acute cerebral circulation impairment in the population within multidisciplinary hospitals in the cities of Nur-Sultan and Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, for the period of 2018-2020.This retrospective study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, an analysis of morbidity, prevalence, and mortality was conducted for the population of Nur-Sultan and Almaty cities, as well as for the overall population of Kazakhstan. This analysis was based on data from the "Electronic Register of Discharged Patients" (IS ERDB) and the annual collection "Health of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Activities of Health Organizations in 2015-2020". In the second stage, we examined the care provided to patients with acute impaired cerebral circulation in a multidisciplinary hospital in these two cities. The analysis was based on data regarding the sex and age composition of treated patients in hospitals across the Republic of Kazakhstan, categorized according to the ICD-10 code "Acute Impaired Cerebral Circulation" (I60-I64). We investigated the methods of patients' delivery to medical organizations, types of hospitalization, and outcomes of treated patients. The sample of patients was selected using data from the "Electronic Register of Dispensary Patients" of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, along with the statistical collection "Health of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Activities of Healthcare Organizations". Between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020, a total of 5965 patients were diagnosed with a cerebrovascular event and admitted to a general hospital in Nur-Sultan city, while 13,498 patients were diagnosed and admitted in Almaty city.

Understanding Coordinator Roles in Acute Stroke Care: A National Survey

OBJECTIVES

Coordinators contribute to stroke care quality. Evidence on the scope of practice of coordinator roles for stroke is lacking. We aimed to survey Australian stroke coordinators and describe their responsibilities and characteristics, and compare these based on perceived competency.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Online survey of non-physician coordinators with a clinical leadership position for acute stroke in Australian hospitals. Participants were identified from the Stroke Foundation National Audit, and advertising via national associations/networks. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively; characteristics and responsibilities assessed by Benner's self-perceived competency (novice/advanced beginner/competent, proficient or expert). Inductive thematic analysis was used for open-ended responses.

RESULTS

Results from 105/141 coordinators (103 hospitals, 90% female, 90% registered nurses). Two-thirds developed the role/were self-taught, with 36% using the 'stroke coordinator' title. Perceived competency varied; 22% expert, 40% proficient, and 33% competent. A variety of important clinical tasks, along with leadership/management, education and research responsibilities were described. Most frequently reported clinical responsibility was discharge planning (77%), with patient and staff education (85% and 88%), and data collection (94%) common. Compared to those reporting lesser competency, 'experts' had greater involvement in outpatient clinics (50% vs 14%) and leadership/management responsibilities (e.g. local hospital committees 77% vs 46%). 'Knowledge of evidence' and 'empowering others' were important characteristics to 'expert' coordinators.

CONCLUSIONS

A contemporary understanding of important responsibilities and characteristics of acute stroke coordinators are provided. Perceived competency affected scope of practice. Structured education, training and role delineation is warranted to improve competency. Career development of stroke coordinators is urgently needed to support optimal role performance.

Disability Status and Its Influencing Factors Among Stroke Patients in Northeast China: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study

PURPOSE

To explore the rate of post-stroke disability and its associated factors in the third year following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation in Northeast China.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

METHODS

A total of 522 persons who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of stroke were recruited consecutively between April 2015 and December 2015 and followed for 3 years. The primary outcome was disability, which was assessed using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), a cutoff score of ≤95 indicates disability. Plausible risk factors of disability were selected from available variables to perform multivariate logistic regression analysis.

FINDINGS

The proportion of post-stroke patients with disability decreased from 63.8% to 46.7% at 3-year follow-up. The factors associated with post-stroke disability were age, neurological deficits, cognitive function, depression, and social support.

CONCLUSIONS/CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Disability continues to be a significant issue for individuals after a stroke, and community health workers should perform targeted assessments and interventions to decrease disability, and pay special attention to individuals who are at greatest risk of post-stroke disability.

Dementia is Associated With Poorer Quality of Care and Outcomes After Stroke: An Observational Study

Background

To determine whether preexisting dementia is associated with poorer quality of care and outcomes after stroke in the acute hospital phase.

Method

This was a retrospective analysis of pooled data from the Australian Stroke Foundation national audit conducted in 2015 and 2017. Dementia status was obtained from the medical records. Processes of care to assess quality included: stroke unit care, time-dependent therapy, nursing/allied health assessments, and preparation for discharge. Outcomes included in-hospital complications, independence on discharge, and destination. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between dementia status and processes of care. Multilevel random effects logistic regression, with level defined as hospital, was used to examine associations between dementia status and outcomes.

Results

There were 683/7,070 (9.7%) audited patients with dementia included. Patients with dementia were less likely to be treated in stroke units (58.3% vs 70.6%), receive thrombolysis if an ischemic stroke (5.8% vs 11.1%), have access within 48 hours to physiotherapy (56.4% vs 69.7%) or occupational therapy (46.8% vs 55.6%), see a dietitian if problems with nutrition (64.4% vs 75.9%), or have mood assessed (2.6% vs 12.3%). Patients with dementia were more likely to receive no rehabilitation (adjusted odds ratio 1.88, 95% confidence interval 1.25, 2.83) and be discharged to residential care (adjusted odds ratio 2.36, 95% confidence interval 1.50, 3.72).

Conclusion

People with dementia received poorer quality of care and had worse outcomes after stroke. Our findings raise questions regarding equity and the need for better understanding of why the quality of care differs after stroke for people with dementia.

Provider-to-provider telemedicine improves adherence to sepsis bundle care in community emergency departments

INTRODUCTION

Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency. Together, early recognition and intervention decreases mortality. Protocol-based resuscitation in the emergency department (ED) has improved survival in sepsis patients, but guideline-adherent care is less common in low-volume EDs. This study examined the association between provider-to-provider telemedicine and adherence with sepsis bundle components in rural community hospitals.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study of adults presenting with sepsis or septic shock in community EDs participating in rural telemedicine networks. The primary outcome was adherence to four sepsis bundle requirements: lactate measurement within 3 hours, blood culture before antibiotics, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and adequate fluid resuscitation. Multivariable generalized estimating equations estimated the association between telemedicine and adherence.

RESULTS

In this cohort (n = 655), 5.6% of subjects received ED telemedicine consults. The telemedicine group was more likely to be male and have a higher severity of illness. After adjusting for severity and chief complaint, total sepsis bundle adherence was higher in the telemedicine group compared with the non-telemedicine group (aOR 17.27 [95%CI 6.64-44.90], p < 0.001). Telemedicine consultation was associated with higher adherence with three of the individual bundle components: lactate, antibiotics, and fluid resuscitation.

DISCUSSION

Telemedicine patients were more likely to receive initial blood lactate measurement, timely broad-spectrum antibiotics, and adequate fluid resuscitation. In rural, community EDs, telemedicine may improve sepsis care and potentially reduce disparities in sepsis outcomes at low-volume facilities. Future work should identify specific components of telemedicine-augmented care that improve performance with sepsis quality indicators.

Multidiscipline Stroke Post-Acute Care Transfer System: Propensity-Score-Based Comparison of Functional Status

Few studies have investigated the characteristics of stroke inpatients after post-acute care (PAC) rehabilitation, and few studies have applied propensity score matching (PSM) in a natural experimental design to examine the longitudinal impacts of a medical referral system on functional status. This study coupled a natural experimental design with PSM to assess the impact of a medical referral system in stroke patients and to examine the longitudinal effects of the system on functional status. The intervention was a hospital-based, function oriented, 12-week to 1-year rehabilitative PAC intervention for patients with cerebrovascular diseases. The average duration of PAC in the intra-hospital transfer group (31.52 days) was significantly shorter than that in the inter-hospital transfer group (37.1 days) (p < 0.001). The intra-hospital transfer group also had better functional outcomes. The training effect was larger in patients with moderate disability (Modified Rankin Scale, MRS = 3) and moderately severe disability (MRS = 4) compared to patients with slight disability (MRS = 2). Intensive post-stroke rehabilitative care delivered by per-diem payment is effective in terms of improving functional status. To construct a vertically integrated medical system, strengthening the qualified local hospitals with PAC wards, accelerating the inter-hospital transfer, and offering sufficient intensive rehabilitative PAC days are the most essential requirements.

Changes in acute hospital costs after employing clinical facilitators to improve stroke care in Victoria, Australia

Background

Hospital costs for stroke are increasing and variability in care quality creates inefficiencies. In 2007, the Victorian Government (Australia) employed clinical facilitators for three years in eight public hospitals to improve stroke care. Literature on the cost implications of such roles is rare. We report changes in the costs of acute stroke care following implementation of this program.

Methods

Observational controlled before-and-after cohort design. Standardised hospital costing data were compared pre-program (financial year 2006–07) and post-program (2010–11) for all admitted episodes of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) using ICD-10 discharge codes. Costs in Australian dollars (AUD) were adjusted to a common year 2010. Generalised linear regression models were used for adjusted comparisons.

Results

A 20% increase in stroke and TIA episodes was observed: 2624 pre-program (age > 75 years: 53%) and 3142 post-program (age > 75 years: 51%); largely explained by more TIA admissions (up from 785 to 1072). Average length of stay reduced by 22% (pre-program 7.3 days to post-program 5.7 days, p < 0.001). Six hospitals provided cost data. Average per-episode costs decreased by 10% (pre-program AUD7888 to post-program AUD7115). After adjusting for age, sex, stroke type, and hospital, average per-episode costs decreased by 6.1% from pre to post program (p = 0.025). When length of stay was additionally adjusted for, these costs increased by 10.8%, indicating a greater mean cost per day (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Cost containment of acute inpatient episodes was observed after the implementation of stroke clinical facilitators, likely associated with the shorter lengths of stay.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-3836-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.