Implementation of the stroke code registry in the emergency department of a regional hospital

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, necessitating efficient emergency protocols.
• Mollet Hospital established a Stroke Code in 2015, including a protocol, guideline, and registry, to manage stroke patients.
• The hospital lacks a specialist unit, requiring transfers for thrombolysis and specialized care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation and completion rates of the Stroke Code registry at Mollet Hospital's emergency department.
• To analyze care times, patient transfer data, and the utilization of the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Rankin scale.
• To assess the activation of specific nursing diagnoses within the Stroke Code framework.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a comprehensive Stroke Code registry capturing demographic, clinical, and procedural data.
• Data collection on patient assessments, including NIHSS and Rankin scales.
• Documentation of nursing diagnoses such as impaired communication, mobility, pain, anxiety, and risk for aspiration.

Main Results:

• The study details the registry's implementation and completion levels within the emergency department.
• Analysis reveals insights into patient care times and inter-facility transfer patterns.
• Completion rates for NIHSS, Rankin scales, and the activation of nursing diagnoses are presented.

Conclusions:

• The Stroke Code registry provides valuable data for evaluating healthcare services and identifying areas for improvement.
• Standardizing protocols and improving continuity of care are key outcomes supported by registry analysis.
• Identifying weak points through registry data facilitates the development of new action plans to minimize errors and enhance stroke patient management.