Introduction Adherence to key performance indicators (KPIs) in stroke care is associated with better outcomes.^1–6 The complexity in management of acute strokes, however, has created barriers towards delivering best care with plateauing of KPIs as measured by The National Stroke Foundation Clinical Audit.

We examined the impact on stroke KPIs in our local health district of a web-based decision support stroke platform which provides clinicians with up-to-date information about the patient’s management flagging potential areas for improvement, allowing treatment to be optimised in real time.

Methods Six months following the introduction of the platform we performed a retrospective analysis of Electronic medical records of patients admitted to Gosford hospital with acute stroke between June 2018 and September 2018 assessing access to the stroke unit as well as being discharged on appropriate secondary prophylactics, including antihypertensives and correct antithrombotic therapy. Patients whose direction of care was palliative and patients with documented contraindication to secondary prophylactics were excluded.

Results Over four months, 136 patients presented with acute ischaemic stroke and 11 patients had a haemorrhagic stroke. 49 ischaemic stroke patients had atrial fibrillation. Stroke unit access was higher following its introduction in 2018 compared to 2017 (97% vs 76%, respectively). Similar findings were noted for patients with atrial fibrillation who received oral anticoagulants on discharge (90% vs 50%) and patients discharged on antihypertensives (95% vs 80%).

Conclusion Use of a clinical support platform in managing acute stroke is an intervention that improves stroke care.

References

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