Abstract 137: Post-Stroke Blood Pressure Control and Follow Up Care in Real-World Setting

Stroke, Volume 55, Issue Suppl_1, Page A137-A137, February 1, 2024. Introduction:Within 5 years of a stroke, approximately 25% of patients will have a recurrent event. Blood pressure (BP) reduction can reduce this risk; every 10 mmHg decrease in systolic BP is associated with a 20% risk reduction. Despite this benefit, 50% of patients with hypertension remain uncontrolled after a stroke. Reasons for poor control may be related to poor post-stroke follow up care. We aim to quantify post-stroke BP control and follow up in a large health system.Methods:We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with stroke admitted to Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS) between 2013-2021. YNHHS has 5 hospitals and a large outpatient network. Eligible patients included those who received primary care within YNHHS, were discharged alive, and not on dialysis. We analyzed patient features, time to outpatient encounter, and vital signs. The primary outcome was uncontrolled BP ( >140/90) obtained during the office visit closest to and before 6 months from the date of discharge.Results:During the study period 12,561 patients were admitted with stroke to YNHHS. After exclusions, the final cohort was 2,867 patients. Among these patients, 48 % were male, 65% non-Hispanic White, 22% non-Hispanic Black, 9% Hispanic, and 4% other. Mean (standard deviation) age was 68 (12) years. Approximately 25% of patients had uncontrolled BP. When the updated ACC/AHA (2017) BP goal (2 follow up visits. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) number of days to first visit with a PCP or neurologist was 30 (10-97) days and 45 (27-99) days, respectively. The median (IQR) number of visits with either a PCP or neurologist was 0 (0-2).Conclusion:Among patients with recent stroke, more than half do not achieve BP control per current guidelines. The majority of patients do not engage with a PCP or neurologist within 6 months following a stroke, even though they have an established provider within the system. Gaps in follow up represents a notable opportunity for improving post-stroke care.

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Febbraio 2024

Abstract WP95: The Effectiveness of Remote Informed Consent for Clinical Intervention in the Setting of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke, Volume 55, Issue Suppl_1, Page AWP95-AWP95, February 1, 2024. Background:Informed consent is an essential part of current medical practice which protects the patient’s right to make an informed decision with sufficient understanding of the risks and the benefits of any medical intervention. Because of the need to provide care quickly, consent is often obtained remotely in acute ischemic stroke. Currently, to our knowledge, no study has provided a direct measurement of effectiveness of remote consent compared to in-person consent. In this study, we surveyed those providing consent for thrombolysis and thrombectomy for satisfaction with the consent process. We also compared in person and remote consent for effectiveness in understanding of the intervention.Methods:We conducted post-consent surveys of the person consenting to either thrombolysis or thrombectomy (patient or their legally authorized representative). Surveys assessed satisfaction with the consent process including if the explanation of the procedure was clear and if they had comfortable level of understanding. Survey also included self- and objective assessments of the information provided. Patients who received thrombolysis via wake-up protocol, or as part of another research study, were excluded.Results:A total of 86 surveys assessing 61 remote and 25 in-person consents were analyzed. The in person consents were 56% thrombectomy, while remote consents were 97% thrombectomy. Both in-person and remote groups had high satisfaction rate (9.72/10 vs 9.44/10, P = 0.301) and high self-assessment of understanding (2.56/3 vs 2.74/3, P = 0.11). Objective assessment testing consenter’s knowledge of the procedure showed slightly lower performance for in-person consent, although this was statistically not significant (91% vs 93%, P= 0.17). Further analysis excluding self-consents showed no difference in the two groups (92% vs 94%, P = 0.77).Conclusion:Our observational study showed that patient and legal authorized representatives had a similarly satisfactory experience and understanding when consenting to thrombolysis/thrombectomy when consented in person compared to remote consent.

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Febbraio 2024

Abstract TP99: Implementing Telestroke in the Inpatient Setting: Identifying Factors for Success

Stroke, Volume 55, Issue Suppl_1, Page ATP99-ATP99, February 1, 2024. Background:Inpatient telestroke programs have emerged as a solution to provide timely stroke care in underserved areas, but their successful implementation and factors influencing their effectiveness remain underexplored. This study aimed to qualitatively evaluate the perspectives of inpatient clinicians located at the spoke hospital who were participating in a newly established inpatient telestroke program in order to identify implementation barriers and facilitators.Methods:This was a formative evaluation relying on semi-structured qualitative interviews with sixteen inpatient providers (physicians and nurse practitioners) that have utilized inpatient telestroke services. Interviews were conducted with providers at spoke sites of a hub-and-spoke inpatient telestroke program. The Integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework guided data analysis, focusing on the innovation, recipients, context, and facilitation aspects of implementation. Interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic analysis.Results:Fifteen themes were identified in the data and mapped to the i-PARIHS framework. Themes related to the innovation (telestroke program) included easy access to stroke specialists, the benefits of limiting patient transfers, concerns about duplicating tests, and challenges of timing inpatient telestroke visits and notes to align with discharge workflow. Themes pertaining to recipients (care team members and patients) were communication gaps between teams, concern about the supervision of advanced practice providers, and challenges with nurse empowerment. With regards to the context (hospital and system factors), providers highlighted familiarity with telehealth technologies as a facilitator to implementing inpatient telestroke, yet highlighted resource limitations in smaller facilities. Facilitation (program implementation) was recognized as crucial for education, standardization, and buy-in.Conclusion:This study identified barriers and facilitators in launching an inpatient telestroke program within a health system, highlighting the importance of leveraging facilitators and addressing barriers for effective implementation and continuity.

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Febbraio 2024

Abstract TP109: Quality Improvement Review and Practical Consideration of Hyperfine Portable Bedside Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Non-ICU Setting

Stroke, Volume 55, Issue Suppl_1, Page ATP109-ATP109, February 1, 2024. Introduction:The Hyperfine portable low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner (0.064 Tesla) was FDA approved in 2020. The use of portable low-field MRI (pMRI) has been best studied in ICU settings, although there has been interest in expanding this technology in floor level status stroke patients.Methods:We report our experience launching pMRI in our academic comprehensive stroke program in the non-ICU setting. From September 2021 to March 2022, 24 pMRI scans were performed (2 volunteers, 22 floor-status stroke patients). Our institutional pMRI protocol includes localizer, DWI, ADC, and FLAIR (24 minutes scan time). Good head position (GHP) was defined as the vertex of the head abutting the top of the helmet insert. Complete scans were defined as including all sequences and Partial scan included DWI/ADC.Results:Among 24 scans, most 17/24 (70.8%) were Complete and 2 scans were aborted after only localizer images. Six scans were Partial, due to patient discomfort in 4 (“feeling hot” [2], neck/back pain [2]), and technical issues with machine in 2. Among 22 scans that were Partial or Complete, 6 scans had poor head positioning. We noted that although there was initial GHP, the head could shift out due to gravity or patient self-adjustment due to discomfort. To combat the shift issue, the bed was placed in slight reverse Trendelenburg. We also implemented wedge padding for the lower back that improved comfort. After scan # 11, re-training was performed to include GHP updates. Before re-training, 6/11 (45.5%) had GHP, and afterwards, 11/11 (100%) had GHP. Our quality review also noted that artifact on the DWI/ADC mimicking restricted diffusion could be seen in the internal capsule and corpus callosum, and clinical teams were educated on this.Conclusions:The use of low-field pMRI in non-ICU settings is feasible. Our institutional QI experience suggests that patient selection and technical skill in GHP is a consideration. After adjusting our protocol, the rate of GHP increased from 45% to 100%. Clinical teams also need to be aware of artifact mimicking restricted diffusion in areas of tightly bound white matter tracks. Further studies are warranted to better maximize pMRI and understand the logistical barriers to successful implementation.

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Febbraio 2024

Clinical characteristics and healthcare utilisation associated with undiagnosed cognitive impairment in elderly patients with diabetes in a primary care setting: a population-based cohort study

Objectives
The objective of this study is to report the prevalence, clinical characteristics and healthcare utilisation of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and previously undiagnosed cognitive impairment who were identified as having a low Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score.

Design
A population-based cohort study comparing clinical characteristics, medications, outpatient and inpatient care of patients with a MoCA score 26 using descriptive statistics, linear regression and multivariate logistic regression.

Setting
Electronic medical records of a large health maintenance organisation in Israel.

Participants
350 patients, age >65 with T2DM who participated in a cognitive function screening initiative using MoCA, and had a follow-up visit during the 12 months after screening.

Results
130 (37.1%) had a MoCA score >26 and 68 (19.4%)

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Gennaio 2024

Setting Intentions

In this narrative medicine essay, an oncologist ruminates over a chemotherapy consent form about the goals of therapy for a young adult whose body is filled with an aggressive cancer most commonly seen in children.

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Gennaio 2024

Sequential multiple assignment randomised trial to develop an adaptive mobile health intervention to increase physical activity in people poststroke in the community setting in Ireland: TAPAS trial protocol

Introduction
Stroke is the second-leading cause of death and disability globally. Participation in physical activity (PA) is a cornerstone of secondary prevention in stroke care. Given the heterogeneous nature of stroke, PA interventions that are adaptive to individual performance are recommended. Mobile health (mHealth) has been identified as a potential approach to supporting PA poststroke. To this end, we aim to use a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomised Trial (SMART) design to develop an adaptive, user-informed mHealth intervention to improve PA poststroke.

Methods and analysis
The components included in the 12-week intervention are based on empirical evidence and behavioural change theory and will include treatments to increase participation in Structured Exercise and Lifestyle or a combination of both. 117 participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment components. At 6 weeks postinitial randomisation, participants will be classified as responders or non-responders based on participants’ change in step count. Non-responders to the initial treatment will be randomly assigned to a different treatment allocation. The primary outcome will be PA (steps/day), feasibility and secondary clinical and cost outcomes will also be included. A SMART design will be used to evaluate the optimum adaptive PA intervention among community-dwelling, ambulatory people poststroke.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval has been granted by the Health Service Executive Mid-Western Ethics Committee (REC Ref: 026/2022). The findings will be submitted for publication and presented at relevant national and international academic conferences

Trials registration number
NCT05606770.

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Gennaio 2024

Potential impact of a new sepsis prediction model for the primary care setting: early health economic evaluation using an observational cohort

Objectives
To estimate the potential referral rate and cost impact at different cut-off points of a recently developed sepsis prediction model for general practitioners (GPs).

Design
Prospective observational study with decision tree modelling.

Setting
Four out-of-hours GP services in the Netherlands.

Participants
357 acutely ill adult patients assessed during home visits.

Primary and secondary outcome measures
The primary outcome is the cost per patient from a healthcare perspective in four scenarios based on different cut-off points for referral of the sepsis prediction model. Second, the number of hospital referrals for the different scenarios is estimated. The potential impact of referral of patients with sepsis on mortality and hospital admission was estimated by an expert panel. Using these study data, a decision tree with a time horizon of 1 month was built to estimate the referral rate and cost impact in case the model would be implemented.

Results
Referral rates at a low cut-off (score 2 or 3 on a scale from 0 to 6) of the prediction model were higher than observed for patients with sepsis (99% and 91%, respectively, compared with 88% observed). However, referral was also substantially higher for patients who did not need hospital assessment. As a consequence, cost-savings due to referral of patients with sepsis were offset by increased costs due to unnecessary referral for all cut-offs of the prediction model.

Conclusions
Guidance for referral of adult patients with suspected sepsis in the primary care setting using any cut-off point of the sepsis prediction model is not likely to save costs. The model should only be incorporated in sepsis guidelines for GPs if improvement of care can be demonstrated in an implementation study.

Trial registration number
Dutch Trial Register (NTR 7026).

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Gennaio 2024

Surrogate Decision-Making After Stroke in a Community Setting: The OASIS Project

Stroke, Ahead of Print. Background:Patients with severe stroke often rely on surrogate decision-makers for life-sustaining treatment decisions. We investigated ethnic differences between Mexican Americans (MAs) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals in surrogate reports of physician quality of communication and shared decision-making from the OASIS study (Outcomes Among Surrogate Decision Makers in Stroke) project.Methods:Patients had ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage in Nueces County, TX. Surrogates self-identified as being involved in decisions about do-not-resuscitate orders, brain surgery, ventilator, feeding tube, or hospice/comfort care. Surrogate reports of physician quality of communication (scale score, range from 0 to 10) and shared decision-making (CollaboRATE scale score, binary score 1 versus 0) were compared by ethnicity with linear or logistic regression using generalized estimating equations, adjusted for prespecified demographics, clinical factors, and confounders.Results:Between April 2016 and September 2020, 320 surrogates for 257 patients with stroke enrolled (MA, 158; NHW, 85; and other, 14). Overall quality of communication score was better among surrogates of MA patients than NHW individuals after adjustment for demographics, stroke severity, and patient survival though the ethnic difference was attenuated (β, 0.47 [95% CI, −0.17 to 1.12];P=0.15) after adjustment for trust in the medical profession and frequency of personal prayer. High CollaboRATE scale scores were more common among surrogates of MA patients than NHW individuals (unadjusted odds ratio, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.04–2.95]). This association persisted after adjustment for demographic and clinical factors though there was an interaction between patient age and ethnicity (P=0.04), suggesting that this difference was primarily in older patients.Conclusions:Surrogate decision-makers of MA patients generally reported better outcomes on validated measures of quality of communication and shared decision-making than NHW individuals. Further study of outcomes among diverse populations of stroke surrogate decision-makers may help to identify sources of strength and resiliency that may be broadly applicable.

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Gennaio 2024