Translation of nurse-initiated protocols to manage fever, hyperglycaemia and swallowing following stroke across Europe (QASC Europe): A pre-test/post-test implementation study.

Introduction: Poor adoption of stroke guidelines is a problem internationally. The Quality in Acute Stroke Care (QASC) trial demonstrated significant reduction in death and disability with facilitated implementation of nurse-initiated. Methods: This was a multi-country, multi-centre, pre-test/post-test study (2017-2021) comparing post implementation data with historically collected pre-implementation data. Hospital clinical champions, supported by the Angels Initiative conducted multidisciplinary workshops discussing pre-implementation medical record audit results, barriers and facilitators to FeSS Protocol implementation, developed action plans and provided education, with ongoing support co-ordinated remotely from Australia. Prospective audits were conducted 3-month after FeSS Protocol introduction. Pre-to-post analysis and country income classification comparisons were adjusted for clustering by hospital and country controlling for age/sex/stroke severity. Results: Data from 64 hospitals in 17 countries (3464 patients pre-implementation and 3257 patients post-implementation) showed improvement pre-to-post implementation in measurement recording of all three FeSS components, all p < 0.0001: fever elements (pre: 17%, post: 51%; absolute difference 33%, 95% CI 30%, 37%); hyperglycaemia elements (pre: 18%, post: 52%; absolute difference 34%; 95% CI 31%, 36%); swallowing elements (pre: 39%, post: 67%; absolute difference 29%, 95% CI 26%, 31%) and thus in overall FeSS Protocol adherence (pre: 3.4%, post: 35%; absolute difference 33%, 95% CI 24%, 42%). In exploratory analysis of FeSS adherence by countries' economic status, high-income versus middle-income countries improved to a comparable extent. Discussion and conclusion: Our collaboration resulted in successful rapid implementation and scale-up of FeSS Protocols into countries with vastly different healthcare systems.

Very early mobilization in the stroke unit: Functionality, quality of life and disability at 90 days and 1 year post-stroke.

BACKGROUND: The evidence of early mobilization after stroke is conflicting, and the recovery period is an important concern. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the functionality, quality of life and disability at 90 days and 1 year post-stroke of patients who received a Very Early Mobilization Protocol. METHODS: Prospective cohort study in a tertiary stroke unit. Consecutive patients aged≥18 years and without prior significant disability, who presented motor deficit after acute stroke, were included. A symmetry test was performed to compare the changes in the main variables: Barthel Index (BI), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and EuroQol five-dimensions three-level (EQ-5D-3L) between 90 days and 1 year post-stroke. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients were recruited. The BI reflected an improvement at 1 year in transfer to chair/bed in 25.8%(p < 0.01) of patients and in toilet use in 25.8%(p = 0.02). The FAC showed an improvement at 1 year in 44.4%(p < 0.01) of patients and the mRS in 19.1%(p = 0.01). The usual activities dimension of the EQ-5D-3L showed a clinically relevant improvement after 1 year in 15.9%(p = 0.23) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of patients show improvements in some functional areas and in disability between 90 days and 1 year post-stroke.

Coping Strategies, Quality of Life, and Neurological Outcome in Patients Treated with Mechanical Thrombectomy after an Acute Ischemic Stroke.

New reperfusion therapies have improved the clinical recovery rates of acute ischemic stroke patients (AISP), but it is not known whether other factors, such as the ability to cope, might also have an effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of endovascular treatment (EVT) on coping strategies, quality of life, and neurological and functional outcomes in AISP at 3 months and 1 year post-stroke. A multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, and comparative study of a sub-study of the participants in the Endovascular Revascularization with Solitaire Device versus Best Medical Therapy in Anterior Circulation Stroke within 8 Hours (REVASCAT) clinical trial was conducted after recruiting from two stroke centers in Catalonia, Spain. The cohort consisted of 82 ischemic stroke patients (n = 42 undergoing EVT and n = 40 undergoing standard best medical treatment (BMT) as a control group), enrolled between 2013-2015. We assessed the coping strategies using the Brief Coping Questionnaire (Brief-COPE-28), the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the EQ-5D questionnaire, and the neurological and functional status using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel Index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Stroke Impact Scale-16 (SIS-16). Bivariate analyses and multivariate linear regression models were used. EVT patients were the ones that showed better neurological and functional outcomes, and more patients presented reporting no pain/discomfort at 3 months; paradoxically, problem-focused coping strategies were found to be significantly higher in patients treated with BMT at 1 year.

Implementación de un protocolo de transferencia directa y movilización del equipo de ictus para reducir los tiempos de reperfusión / Implementation of a protocol for direct stroke patient transfer and mobilization of a stroke team to reduce times to reperfusion

Objetivos. El tiempo es un factor clave en el tratamiento y pronóstico del ictus. Nuestro centro ha implementado un protocolo de Actuación Rápida Puerta Aguja (ARPA) para optimizar los tiempos de reperfusión. Este protocolo intrahospitalario consiste en tratar a los pacientes derivados por código ictus (CI) directamente en el escáner o en la sala de angiografía movilizando al equipo de ictus. Los objetivos son evaluar el impacto del protocolo ARPA en los tiempos de reperfusión, y valorar la viabilidad y seguridad de incorporar un enfermero de la unidad de ictus (UI) al equipo de ictus para la asistencia a pacientes CI, así como la satisfacción de los profesionales. Método. Estudio descriptivo de pacientes atendidos en el circuito CI entre marzo 2015 y marzo 2018. Se compararon con el periodo previo entre febrero 2014 y febrero 2015. Resultados. Se atendieron 903 pacientes con el protocolo ARPA y recibieron tratamiento de reperfusión 502 pacientes (55,6%). La mediana de tiempo puerta-aguja para fibrinolisis fue de 24 (18-33) minutos y puerta-punción para trombectomía 39 (20-75) minutos, ambos inferiores (p < 0,001) al periodo anterior, que tuvo unos tiempos de 43 (31-66) y 93 (60-150) minutos, respectivamente. El enfermero atendió los CI durante 25 (20-32) minutos, y no se encontraron problemas graves de seguridad o viabilidad. Veinte profesionales (95%) refirieron que el protocolo ARPA aumentaba su carga de trabajo pero consideraron que se debía seguir aplicando. Conclusiones. El tratamiento de pacientes CI directamente en el escáner o en la sala de angiografía incorporando un enfermero de la UI reduce, de forma segura, los tiempos de reperfusión

Background and objectives. The timing of treatment is a key prognostic factor in stroke. Our hospital implemented a rapid-action time-to-intervention protocol to optimize reperfusion times. The protocol consisted of direct transfer of stroke-code patients to the scanner or angiosuite and mobilization of the stroke team. Our aim was to assess the impact of the protocol on times to reperfusion. We also sought to evaluate the feasibility and safety of including a stroke-team nurse and assess staff satisfaction with the protocol. Methods. Descriptive study of patients attended by the hospital stroke team between March 2015 and March 2018. Outcomes were compared to those for the previous period (February 2014 to February 2015). Results. Nine hundred three patients were attended under the rapid-action protocol; 502 of them (55.6%) underwent reperfusion. The median (interquartile range) door-to-needle or groin access times were 24 (18-33) minutes for fibrinolysis and 39 (20-75) minutes for thrombectomy. Both times were significantly shorter than in the earlier period (43 [31-66] and 93 [60-150] minutes, respectively; P<.001). Median duration of nurse attendance was 25 (20-32) minutes during the implementation period, and no problems of feasibility or safety appeared during nurse attendance. Twenty staff members (95%) reported that the rapid-action protocol increased their workload but they felt it warranted continued application. Conclusion. Direct transfer of stroke patients for scanning or to the angiography suite, with nurse attendance, safely reduced reperfusion times

Implementation of a protocol for direct stroke patient transfer and mobilization of a stroke team to reduce times to reperfusion. / Implementación de un protocolo de transferencia directa y movilización del equipo de ictus para reducir los tiempos de reperfusión.

OBJECTIVES: The timing of treatment is a key prognostic factor in stroke. Our hospital implemented a rapid-action time-to-intervention protocol to optimize reperfusion times. The protocol consisted of direct transfer of stroke-code patients to the scanner or angiosuite and mobilization of the stroke team. Our aim was to assess the impact of the protocol on times to reperfusion. We also sought to evaluate the feasibility and safety of including a stroke-team nurse and assess staff satisfaction with the protocol. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study of patients attended by the hospital stroke team between March 2015 and March 2018. Outcomes were compared to those for the previous period (February 2014 to February 2015). RESULTS: Nine hundred three patients were attended under the rapid-action protocol; 502 of them (55.6%) underwent reperfusion. The median (interquartile range) door-to-needle or groin access times were 24 (18-33) minutes for fibrinolysis and 39 (20-75) minutes for thrombectomy. Both times were significantly shorter than in the earlier period (43 [31-66] and 93 [60-150] minutes, respectively; P<.001). Median duration of nurse attendance was 25 (20-32) minutes during the implementation period, and no problems of feasibility or safety appeared during nurse attendance. Twenty staff members (95%) reported that the rapid-action protocol increased their workload but they felt it warranted continued application. CONCLUSION: Direct transfer of stroke patients for scanning or to the angiography suite, with nurse attendance, safely reduced reperfusion times.

OBJETIVO: El tiempo es un factor clave en el tratamiento y pronóstico del ictus. Nuestro centro ha implementado un protocolo de Actuación Rápida Puerta Aguja (ARPA) para optimizar los tiempos de reperfusión. Este protocolo intrahospitalario consiste en tratar a los pacientes derivados por código ictus (CI) directamente en el escáner o en la sala de angiografía movilizando al equipo de ictus. Los objetivos son evaluar el impacto del protocolo ARPA en los tiempos de reperfusión, y valorar la viabilidad y seguridad de incorporar un enfermero de la unidad de ictus (UI) al equipo de ictus para la asistencia a pacientes CI, así como la satisfacción de los profesionales. METODO: Estudio descriptivo de pacientes atendidos en el circuito CI entre marzo 2015 y marzo 2018. Se compararon con el periodo previo entre febrero 2014 y febrero 2015. RESULTADOS: Se atendieron 903 pacientes con el protocolo ARPA y recibieron tratamiento de reperfusión 502 pacientes (55,6%). La mediana de tiempo puerta-aguja para fibrinolisis fue de 24 (18-33) minutos y puerta-punción para trombectomía 39 (20-75) minutos, ambos inferiores (p < 0,001) al periodo anterior, que tuvo unos tiempos de 43 (31-66) y 93 (60-150) minutos, respectivamente. El enfermero atendió los CI durante 25 (20-32) minutos, y no se encontraron problemas graves de seguridad o viabilidad. Veinte profesionales (95%) refirieron que el protocolo ARPA aumentaba su carga de trabajo pero consideraron que se debía seguir aplicando. CONCLUSIONES: El tratamiento de pacientes CI directamente en el escáner o en la sala de angiografía incorporando un enfermero de la UI reduce, de forma segura, los tiempos de reperfusión.