Impact of stroke unit in a public hospital on length of hospitalization and rate of early mortality of ischemic stroke patients

Length of Hospitalization and Mortality among Stroke Patients before and after the Implementation of a Specialized Unit: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Real-World Data from One Reference Hospital in Southern Brazil

Stroke constitutes a significant global cause of mortality and disability. The implementation of stroke units influences hospital quality indicators, guiding care management. We aimed to compare hospital length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, and post-discharge mortality between stroke patients admitted in the pre- and post-implementation periods of a stroke unit in a public hospital in southern Brazil. This retrospective cohort study used real-world data from one reference hospital, focusing on the intervention (stroke unit) and comparing it to the general ward (control). We analyzed the electronic medical records of 674 patients admitted from 2009 to 2012 in the general ward and 766 patients from 2013 to 2018 in the stroke unit. Admission to the stroke unit was associated with a 43% reduction in the likelihood of prolonged hospitalization. However, there was no significant difference in the risk of in-hospital mortality between the groups (Hazard ratio = 0.90; Interquartile range = 0.58 to 1.39). The incidence of death at three, six and twelve months post-discharge did not differ between the groups. Our study results indicate significant improvements in care processes for SU patients, including shorter LOS and better adherence to treatment protocols. However, our observations revealed no significant difference in mortality rates, either during hospitalization or after discharge, between the SU and GW groups. While SU implementation enhances efficiency in stroke care, further research is needed to explore long-term outcomes and optimize management strategies.

Non-therapeutic strategies to promote physical activity of stroke survivors in hospital settings: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically summarize the evidence of strategies other than therapy to promote physical activity in hospital settings.

METHODS

Studies testing the various strategies to promote the physical activity of stroke survivors in different hospital settings, including stroke units, hospitals and rehabilitation centres were included. Two independent reviewers screened, extracted data, and assessed the study quality. Quality assessments were performed using standardized checklists. Data synthesis was done from the selected articles and results were reported.

RESULTS

Of the 3396 records retrieved from database searches, 12 studies (n = 529 participants) were included. All the studies were of moderate to good quality. The strategies were grouped into five categories: i) physical environment, ii) device-based feedback, iii) self-management approaches, iv) family presence, and v) education. Physical environmental and device-based feedback were the most common strategies to promote physical activity after a stroke in a hospital setting. Strategies such as family presence and education improved physical activity levels, whereas device-based feedback showed mixed results.

CONCLUSION

Despite the importance of physical activity in early stroke, there is limited literature present to enhance activity levels. Physical environment and device-based feedback were the two most common strategies used in acute stroke survivors. The impact of these strategies remain suboptimal to be considered as effective intervention methods to enhance physical activity.

Stroke Rehabilitation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Challenges and Opportunities

ABSTRACT

Stroke remains the second leading cause of global disability with 87% of stroke-related disability occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In low- and middle-income countries, access to acute stroke interventions is often limited, making effective poststroke rehabilitation potentially the best available intervention to promote poststroke recovery. Here, we build on our experience as an illustrative example of barriers individuals with stroke face in accessing rehabilitation services and review the literature to summarize challenges to providing effective rehabilitation in low- and middle-income countries. First, we focus on barriers individuals with stroke face in accessing rehabilitation in low- and middle-income countries, including health system barriers, such as lack of national guidelines, low prioritization of rehabilitation services, and inadequate numbers of skilled rehabilitation specialists, as well as patient factors, including limited health literacy, financial constraints, and transportation limitations. Next, we highlight consequences of this lack of rehabilitation access, including higher mortality, poorer functional outcomes, financial burden, caregiver stress, and loss of gross domestic product at a national level. Finally, we review possible strategies that could improve access and quality of rehabilitation services in low- and middle-income countries, including creation of inpatient stroke units, increased training opportunities for rehabilitation specialists, task shifting to available healthcare workers or caregivers, telerehabilitation, and community-based rehabilitation services.

Clinical characterization, disability, and mortality in people with strokes during 90 days

OBJECTIVES

to describe clinical characteristics and mortality of people with ischemic cerebrovascular accidents (strokes); to compare disability before the event and 90 days after.

METHODS

longitudinal study with 308 people hospitalized in Salvador-BA. Data collection took place from 03/2019 to 01/2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used.

RESULTS

mean age was 64.8 years, and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score was 10.7. The median length of stay in the hospital was 11 days. Afro-descendants predominated (84%), elementary educational level (68.4%), income up to three minimum wages (89.1%), arrival within 4.5 hours of symptoms (57.9%) and admission to a specialized unit (71.8%). Prevalence of thrombolysis: 26%. The asymptomatic before the event category predominated (85.3%) as did the moderate/severe disability (41.5%) after 90 days. 19.7% of the sample evolved to death. Conclusions: the high mortality and disability generated by the event have implications for health management and care.

Prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width in predicting 3-month functional outcome of patients undergoing thrombolysis treatment for acute ischemic stroke

This study was performed to determine whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with 3-month poor functional outcome in patients undergoing thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke.RDW was measured in patients with thrombolytic therapy in emergency department. Functional outcome was assessed after 3 months and poor functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale 3 to 6.A total of 240 patients were enrolled, and 82 (34.2%) had a poor functional outcome. The median RDW was significantly elevated in patients with a poor functional outcome compare with those with a good outcome. RDW was independently associated with a 3-month poor functional outcome (odds ratio 3.369, 95% confidence interval 2.214-5.125). The optimal RDW cutoff for predicting 3-month poor functional outcome was 12.8%, and the area under the curve for RDW was 0.818 (95% confidence interval 0.761-0.876). The area under the curve for RDW was higher in male patients than in female patients. The RDW correlated positively with the modified Rankin scale score after 3 months and the initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score.Initial higher RDW level is related to a 3-month poor functional outcome in patients undergoing thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke.

Predictors of In-hospital Mortality of Acute Ischemic Stroke in Adult Population

Introduction:

Stroke is the second most common cause of mortality worldwide. Data regarding the predictors of mortality of acute ischemic stroke are widely discordant. Identifying the predictors and providing the utmost care to a high-risk patient is still an unmet need in middle- to low-income countries. We did this study to identify the predictor of in-hospital mortality of acute ischemic stroke.

Materials and Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with acute ischemic stroke presented to the tertiary care center in eastern Nepal from January 2012 to December 2016. We enrolled patients of age 18 years and older with acute ischemic stroke in this study. The primary outcome of the study was in-hospital mortality of enrolled patients. Predictors of mortality were analyzed by comparing the patients with acute ischemic stroke who had mortality with those who survived.

Results:

The mean age of enrolled patients was 66 years. Among 257, the in-hospital mortality rate was 20.5%. The patients with in-hospital mortality had lower Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score (9 vs. 12, P < 0.001) compared to those who survived. During admission, a patient with in-hospital mortality had significantly lower arterial oxygen saturation (92 vs. 95, P < 0.001), higher pulse rate (91 vs. 83, P = 0.009), and higher respiratory rate (24 vs. 21, P < 0.001) than those patients with acute ischemic stroke who survived.

Conclusion:

Lower GCS score, baseline higher pulse rate, higher respiratory rate, and lower arterial oxygen saturation are the predictors of in-hospital mortality of adult with acute ischemic stroke.

Predictors of readmission and long length of stay in elders admitted with neurological disorders in a tertiary center: a real-world investigation

ABSTRACT Hospital readmission and long length of stay (LOS) increase morbidity and hospital mortality and are associated with excessive costs to health systems. Objective: This study aimed to identify predictors of hospital readmission and long LOS among elders with neurological disorders (NDs). Methods: Patients ≥ 60 years of age admitted to the hospital between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010, with acute NDs, chronic NDs as underpinnings of acute clinical disorders, and neurological complications of other diseases were studied. We analyzed demographic factors, NDs, and comorbidities as independent predictors of readmission and long LOS (≥ 9 days). Logistic regression was performed for multivariate analysis. Results: Overall, 1,154 NDs and 2,679 comorbidities were identified among 798 inpatients aged ≥ 60 years (mean 75.8 ± 9.1). Of the patients, 54.5% were female. Patient readmissions were 251(31%) and 409 patients (51%) had an LOS ≥ 9 days (95% confidence interval 48%–55%). We found no predictors for readmission. Low socioeconomic class (p = 0.001), respiratory disorder (p < 0.001), infection (p < 0.001), genitourinary disorder (p < 0.033), and arterial hypertension (p = 0.002) were predictors of long LOS. Identified risks of long LOS explained 22% of predictors. Conclusions: Identifying risk factors for patient readmission are challenges for neurology teams and health system stakeholders. As low socioeconomic class and four comorbidities, but no NDs, were identified as predictors for long LOS, we recommend studying patient multimorbidity as well as functional and cognitive scores to determine whether they improve the risk model of long LOS in this population.

AVALIAÇÃO DOS INDICADORES DE ÓBITO E INCAPACIDADE DOS PACIENTES ATENDIDOS EM UMA UNIDADE DE ACIDENTE VASCULAR CEREBRAL

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar indicadores de resultado para mortalidade e grau de incapacidade dos pacientes na alta antes e após implantação da unidade de acidente vascular cerebral. Método: um estudo quantitativo, retrospectivo e transversal, realizado em um hospital público, que teve a unidade de acidente vascular cerebral implantada em 2011. Foram analisados 245 prontuários de pacientes admitidos de 29 de janeiro de 2011 a 28 de janeiro de 2012. Foram 63 pacientes nos seis meses antes da implantação da unidade de acidente vascular cerebral e 182 pacientes nos seis meses após. Utilizou-se na alta hospitalar pelos registros no prontuário a escala de Rankin modificada, possui sete graus (0 a 6) que mensura o comprometimento funcional, variando de "sem incapacidade" até "óbito". Para análise dos dados foi utilizado um software de análise estatística (SAS para Windows®, versão 9.3). Resultados: somando os indicadores 0 e 1 (sem incapacidade e ausência de incapacidade significativa) da escala de Rankin modificada, encontramos 6,72% antes e 42,86% depois da implantação, indicando condição de menor incapacidade na alta após a implantação. A mortalidade foi de 20,69% antes da implantação e 12,73% depois. Conclusão: houve redução do grau de incapacidade dos pacientes e da mortalidade após implantação da unidade de acidente vascular cerebral.

In Hospital Stroke Mortality: Rates and Determinants in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Objectives: The present study analyzed in-hospital first-time stroke mortality in southwestern Saudi Arabia over one-year to assess the in-hospital stroke case fatality rate, mortality rate and explore the factors associated with in-hospital stroke mortality. Study Design: Hospital based follow-up study. Methods: First-time stroke patients admitted to all hospitals in Asser region over one-year period (January through December 2016) were included in the study. Data about personal characteristics, pre-stroke history and clinical criteria, on admission clinical criteria, in-hospital complications and survival status were collected. The last reported Aseer region population was used to calculate age and sex stroke mortality rate per 100,000 population/year. Hazard ratios (HR) and concomitant 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed using multivariate Cox regression survival analysis. Kaplan-Meier curve survival analysis for stroke patients were plotted. Results: A total of 121 in-hospital deaths out of 1249 first-time stroke patients giving an overall case fatality rate (CFR) of 9.7%. Non-significant difference with gender and age were observed in CFR. Overall, in-hospital stroke mortality rate was 5.58 per 100,000/year. Males and elders showed a significantly higher mortality rates. Multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed pre-stroke smoking (HR = 2.36), pre-stroke hypertension (HR = 1.77), post-stroke disturbed consciousness (HR = 6.86), poor mobility (HR = 2.60) and developing pulmonary embolism (HR = 2.63) as significant predictors of in-hospital stroke mortality. Conclusions: In Southwestern Saudi Arabia, the in-hospital stroke mortality rate is higher in men and increases with aging. The prognosis of acute stroke could be improved by smoking cessation, better control of hypertension and prevention of in hospital complication particularly pulmonary embolism.

Comparing the Comprehensive Stroke Ward Versus Mixed Rehabilitation Ward-The Importance of the Team in the Acute Stroke Care in a Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ischemic stroke is one of the most frequent causes of death in Brazil. Many measures have been taken to reduce this tragic outcome, and one of those is the implementation of stroke units in hospitals. The aim of the present study is to analyze the in-hospital complications for patients with ischemic stroke admitted in a comprehensive stroke ward (CSW) as compared to patients admitted in a mixed rehabilitation ward (MRW).

METHODS

A retrospective interventional study with historic controls of patients admitted to the Neurology Division between January 2010 and October 2013. Patients admitted between January 2010 and September 2012 were included in the MRW group, and patients admitted from October 2012 until October 2013 were included in the CSW group. Throughout the whole study period, the same team assisted all the patients. Both groups were paired in relation to age and gender. The rate of in-hospital complications, mortality, and independency on discharge were evaluated in both groups.

RESULTS

Each group was comprised of 91 patients. There were no statistically significant differences for any of the risk factors analyzed between the 2 groups nor for outcome measures-in-hospital complications, mortality, and independence on discharge.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that in-hospital complications, independence on discharge, and mortality have similar rates in patients admitted to an MRW compared to patients admitted to a CSW, when the same staff provided them with specialized in-hospital care.

EVIDENCE LEVEL

Case-control study-Evidence Level 3.

Performance of four ischemic stroke prognostic scores in a Brazilian population

OBJECTIVE

Ischemic stroke (IS) prognostic scales may help clinicians in their clinical decisions. This study aimed to assess the performance of four IS prognostic scales in a Brazilian population.

METHOD

We evaluated data of IS patients admitted at Hospital Paulistano, a Joint Commission International certified primary stroke center. In-hospital mortality and modified Rankin score at discharge were defined as the outcome measures. The performance of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Stroke Prognostication Using Age and NIHSS (SPAN-100), Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne (ASTRAL), and Totaled Health Risks in Vascular Events (THRIVE) were compared.

RESULTS

Two hundred six patients with a mean ± SD age of 67.58 ± 15.5 years, being 55.3% male, were included. The four scales were significantly and independently associated functional outcome. Only THRIVE was associated with in-hospital mortality. With area under the curve THRIVE and NIHSS were the scales with better performance for functional outcome and THRIVE had the best performance for mortality.

CONCLUSION

THRIVE showed the best performance among the four scales, being the only associated with in-hospital mortality.