Analysis of treatment delay and its influencing factors in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease in Qingdao area / 国际脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the treatment delay in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease in different levels of hospital in Qingdao area and to analyze its influencing factors. Methods A total of 700 patients with acute cerebrovascular disease from the city, county and township hospitals in Qingdao were selected from June 2008 to February 2009. A questionnaire survey was used to investigate and analyze the visiting time in patients with stroke and its possible influencing factors. Results The average visiting rate in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease was 30% within 4.5 hours after the onset in Qingdao area. The average visiting rate of the township hospitals was lowest (26%), of the city hospitals was moderate (28%), and of the county hospitals was highest (36%). For the city hospitals, the male patients usually delayed the visiting. The patients with high school or higher education level, urban medical insurance, 120 transportation, and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ＜ 3 could usually he treated timely; For the county hospitals, the patients with secondary school or lower education level, 120 transportation, and NIHSS ＜3 could usually be treated timely. For the township hospitals, the patients with NIHSS ＞ 7 and unconsciousness could usually be treated timely. Conclusions The patients with acute cerebrovascular disease in the city, county and township hospitals in Qingdao area had significant treatment delay. Of those, 120 transportation and higher levels of education could decrease the treatment delay of patients. Therefore, perfecting stroke emergency network, raising people's level of education, and strengthening propaganda and education on stroke knowledge in all levels of hospitals are essential for timely treatment of stroke patients.