A Olascoaga Arrate1, M M Freijo Guerrero2, C Fernández Maiztegi3, I Azkune Calle4, R Silvariño Fernández5, M Fernández Rodríguez5, P Vazquez Naveira6, A Anievas Elena7, I Iturraspe González7, Y Pérez Díez7, R Ruiz Fernández7. 1. Delegación Territorial de Bizkaia, Departamento de Salud del Gobierno Vasco, Bilbao, Bizkaia, España. Electronic address: aolascoaga@euskadi.eus. 2. Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Basurto, Osakidetza, Bilbao, Bizkaia, España. 3. Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Cruces, Osakidetza, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, España. 4. Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Galdakao-Usansolo, Osakidetza, Galdakao, Bizkaia, España. 5. Servicio de Medicina Interna, Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital San Eloy, Osakidetza, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, España. 6. Emergencias de Osakidetza, Servicio Vasco de Salud, Bilbao, Bizkaia, España. 7. Delegación Territorial de Bizkaia, Departamento de Salud del Gobierno Vasco, Bilbao, Bizkaia, España.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: According to numerous studies, using emergency medical services (EMS) to transport stroke patients to hospitals decreases diagnostic and treatment delays. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of use of EMS by stroke patients in Bizkaia (Spain), analyse the factors associated with using EMS, and study the impact of EMS on time to care. METHODS: We gathered data from 545 patients hospitalised for acute ischaemic stroke and recruited consecutively. Data were obtained from the patients' medical histories and interviews with the patients themselves or their companions. We studied the following variables: previous health status, stroke symptoms and severity (NIHSS), type of transport, and time to medical care. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with use of EMS and care delays. RESULTS: Patients transported to hospital by the EMS accounted for 47.2% of the total. Greater stroke severity, arriving at the hospital at night, and poor functional status at baseline were found to be independently associated with use of EMS. Use of EMS was linked to earlier arrival at the hospital. Door-to-imaging times were shorter in the EMS group; however, this association disappeared after adjusting for stroke severity. Revascularisation was more frequent among patients transported by the EMS. CONCLUSIONS: EMS transport was associated with shorter prehospital delays. Effective health education programmes should be developed to promote EMS transport for patients with stroke symptoms. In-hospital stroke management should also be improved to reduce time to medical care.
INTRODUCTION: According to numerous studies, using emergency medical services (EMS) to transport strokepatients to hospitals decreases diagnostic and treatment delays. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of use of EMS by strokepatients in Bizkaia (Spain), analyse the factors associated with using EMS, and study the impact of EMS on time to care. METHODS: We gathered data from 545 patients hospitalised for acute ischaemic stroke and recruited consecutively. Data were obtained from the patients' medical histories and interviews with the patients themselves or their companions. We studied the following variables: previous health status, stroke symptoms and severity (NIHSS), type of transport, and time to medical care. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with use of EMS and care delays. RESULTS:Patients transported to hospital by the EMS accounted for 47.2% of the total. Greater stroke severity, arriving at the hospital at night, and poor functional status at baseline were found to be independently associated with use of EMS. Use of EMS was linked to earlier arrival at the hospital. Door-to-imaging times were shorter in the EMS group; however, this association disappeared after adjusting for stroke severity. Revascularisation was more frequent among patients transported by the EMS. CONCLUSIONS: EMS transport was associated with shorter prehospital delays. Effective health education programmes should be developed to promote EMS transport for patients with stroke symptoms. In-hospital stroke management should also be improved to reduce time to medical care.
Authors: Todd A Jaffe; Joshua N Goldstein; Brian J Yun; Mark Etherton; Thabele Leslie-Mazwi; Lee H Schwamm; Kori S Zachrison Journal: West J Emerg Med Date: 2020-07-08