BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rates of emergency medical services (EMS) utilization for acute stroke remain low nationwide, despite the time-sensitive nature of the disease. Prior research suggests several demographic and social factors are associated with EMS use. We sought to evaluate which demographic or socioeconomic factors are associated with EMS utilization in our region, thereby informing future education efforts. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients for whom the stroke code system was activated at 2 hospitals in our region. Univariate and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with use of EMS versus private vehicle. RESULTS: EMS use was lower in patients who were younger, had higher income, were married, more educated and in those who identified as Hispanic. Those arriving by EMS had significantly faster arrival to code, arrival to imaging, and arrival to thrombolytic treatment times. CONCLUSION: Analysis of regional data can identify specific populations underutilizing EMS services for acute stroke symptoms. Factors effecting EMS utilization varies by region and this information may be useful for targeted education programs promoting EMS use for acute stroke symptoms. EMS use results in more rapid evaluation and treatment of stroke patients.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rates of emergency medical services (EMS) utilization for acute stroke remain low nationwide, despite the time-sensitive nature of the disease. Prior research suggests several demographic and social factors are associated with EMS use. We sought to evaluate which demographic or socioeconomic factors are associated with EMS utilization in our region, thereby informing future education efforts. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients for whom the stroke code system was activated at 2 hospitals in our region. Univariate and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with use of EMS versus private vehicle. RESULTS: EMS use was lower in patients who were younger, had higher income, were married, more educated and in those who identified as Hispanic. Those arriving by EMS had significantly faster arrival to code, arrival to imaging, and arrival to thrombolytic treatment times. CONCLUSION: Analysis of regional data can identify specific populations underutilizing EMS services for acute stroke symptoms. Factors effecting EMS utilization varies by region and this information may be useful for targeted education programs promoting EMS use for acute stroke symptoms. EMS use results in more rapid evaluation and treatment of stroke patients.
Authors: Kennedy R Lees; Erich Bluhmki; Rüdiger von Kummer; Thomas G Brott; Danilo Toni; James C Grotta; Gregory W Albers; Markku Kaste; John R Marler; Scott A Hamilton; Barbara C Tilley; Stephen M Davis; Geoffrey A Donnan; Werner Hacke; Kathryn Allen; Jochen Mau; Dieter Meier; Gregory del Zoppo; D A De Silva; K S Butcher; M W Parsons; P A Barber; C Levi; C Bladin; G Byrnes Journal: Lancet Date: 2010-05-15 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Gregory W Albers; Michael P Marks; Stephanie Kemp; Soren Christensen; Jenny P Tsai; Santiago Ortega-Gutierrez; Ryan A McTaggart; Michel T Torbey; May Kim-Tenser; Thabele Leslie-Mazwi; Amrou Sarraj; Scott E Kasner; Sameer A Ansari; Sharon D Yeatts; Scott Hamilton; Michael Mlynash; Jeremy J Heit; Greg Zaharchuk; Sun Kim; Janice Carrozzella; Yuko Y Palesch; Andrew M Demchuk; Roland Bammer; Philip W Lavori; Joseph P Broderick; Maarten G Lansberg Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2018-01-24 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Ying Xian; Eric E Smith; Xin Zhao; Eric D Peterson; DaiWai M Olson; Adrian F Hernandez; Deepak L Bhatt; Jeffrey L Saver; Lee H Schwamm; Gregg C Fonarow Journal: Stroke Date: 2014-04-08 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: Amie W Hsia; Amanda Castle; Jeffrey J Wing; Dorothy F Edwards; Nina C Brown; Tara M Higgins; Jasmine L Wallace; Sara S Koslosky; M Chris Gibbons; Brisa N Sánchez; Ali Fokar; Nawar Shara; Lewis B Morgenstern; Chelsea S Kidwell Journal: Stroke Date: 2011-05-05 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: William J Meurer; Deborah A Levine; Kevin A Kerber; Darin B Zahuranec; James Burke; Jonggyu Baek; Brisa Sánchez; Melinda A Smith; Lewis B Morgenstern; Lynda D Lisabeth Journal: Ann Emerg Med Date: 2015-09-16 Impact factor: 5.721
Authors: Juliet Addo; Luis Ayerbe; Keerthi M Mohan; Siobhan Crichton; Anita Sheldenkar; Ruoling Chen; Charles D A Wolfe; Christopher McKevitt Journal: Stroke Date: 2012-02-23 Impact factor: 7.914