Characteristics of patients according to the mode of admission to regional stroke services

Price, Christopher I. M., Rae, Victoria, Duckett, Jay, Wood, Ruth, McMeekin, Peter, Gray, Joanne, Rodgers, Helen and Ford, Gary A. (2012) Characteristics of patients according to the mode of admission to regional stroke services. International Journal of Stroke, 7 (S2). p. 11. ISSN 1747-4930

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Abstract

Introduction: In the planning of acute stroke services it is expected that most patients will arrive by emergency ambulance. We examined this assumption and the characteristics of patients influencing treatment and prognosis according to the mode of presentation. Method: A prospective regional database of consecutive acute stroke admissions conducted between 01/09/10–30/09/11. Case ascertainment and transport mode were checked against hospital coding and ambulance dispatch databases.

Results: Eight acute NHS trusts contributed data for a mean of 10.7 months (range: 7–13). 2792 patients received a diagnosis of stroke within 24 hours of admission: 2002 arrivals by emergency ambulance; 538 by private transport or non-emergency ambulance; 252 unknown mode. Emergency ambulance patients were older (76 vs. 69 years), more likely to be from institutional care (10% vs. 1%), with a history of stroke or TIA (31% vs. 22%) and experiencing total anterior circulation symptoms (27% vs. 6%). Their onset-admission time was shorter (mean 5.3 vs. 14.5 hours). In both groups 30% had thrombolysis assessments but the treatment rate was higher following emergency admission (10.2% vs. 4.3%). Patients not attending via emergency ambulance had lower mortality (2% vs. 18%), lower rate of new institutionalisation (1% vs. 6%) and less need for daily carers at discharge (6% vs. 16%).

Conclusion: 79% of patients with an early diagnosis of stroke were admitted by emergency ambulance. Patients admitted by other modes had less severe symptoms and presented later but some still received thrombolysis. This should be considered in the planning of acute stroke services.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Abstract published in Special Issue of the International Journal of Stroke.
Subjects:	B900 Others in Subjects allied to Medicine
Department:	Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Nursing, Midwifery and Health Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Ay Okpokam
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2013 11:39
Last Modified:	25 Apr 2022 13:27
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/14141

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