Impact of Off-Hour Admission on In-Hospital Outcomes for Patients With Stroke Receiving Reperfusion Therapy in China

The structure and staffing of hospitals greatly impact patient outcomes, with frequent changes occurring during nights and weekends. This retrospective cohort study assessed the impact of admission timing on in-hospital management and outcomes for patients with stroke receiving reperfusion therapy in China using data from a nationwide registry.

Data from patients receiving reperfusion therapy were extracted from the Chinese Stroke Center Alliance. Hospital admission time was categorized according to day/evening versus night and weekday versus weekend. Primary outcomes were in-hospital death or discharge against medical advice, hemorrhage transformation, early neurological deterioration, and major adverse cardiovascular events. Logistic regression was performed to compare in-hospital management performance and outcomes based on admission time categories.

Overall, 42 381 patients received recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA) therapy, and 5224 underwent endovascular treatment (EVT). Patients admitted during nighttime had a higher probability of receiving r-tPA therapy within 4.5 hours from onset or undergoing EVT within 6 hours from onset compared with those admitted during day/evening hours (adjusted odds ratio, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01-1.08]; P=0.021; adjusted odds ratio, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.59-1.86]; P<0.001, respectively). However, no significant difference was observed between weekend and weekday admissions for either treatment. No notable differences were noted between weekends and weekdays or nighttime and daytime periods in door-to-needle time for r-tPA or door-to-puncture time for EVT initiation. Furthermore, weekend or nighttime admission did not have a significant effect on the primary outcomes of r-tPA therapy or EVT. Nevertheless, in patients undergoing EVT, a higher incidence of pneumonia was observed among those admitted at night compared with those admitted during day/evening hours (adjusted odds ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.05-1.42]; P=0.011).

Patients admitted at nighttime were more likely to receive r-tPA therapy or EVT within the time window recommended in the guidelines. However, patients receiving EVT admitted at night had an increased risk of pneumonia.