Partnering With an Urban Hospital for Stroke Preparedness in the Emergency Department: SPEDI Randomized Controlled...

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Public Health
• Neurology

Background:

• Emergency departments are critical points for public health interventions.
• Stroke preparedness education is vital for timely medical attention.
• Community-based interventions can address health disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Stroke Preparedness in the Emergency Department Intervention.
• To assess the intervention's impact on stroke symptom recognition and the likelihood of calling 911.
• To determine if the intervention is effective across diverse racial and ethnic groups.

Main Methods:

• A single-center, participant-blinded, parallel-group trial involving adult emergency department patients.
• Randomization of participants to either a stroke preparedness intervention (pamphlet and video) or a general cardiovascular health control.
• Primary outcome measured by intent to call 911 using the Video STAT instrument at 1-month delayed posttest.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed significantly higher intent to call 911 compared to the control group at both immediate and delayed posttests.
• Stroke symptom recognition was significantly higher in the intervention group immediately after treatment and at the delayed posttest.
• Treatment effects on stroke preparedness were consistent across different sexes and races.

Conclusions:

• A brief emergency department-based intervention effectively increased both the recognition of stroke symptoms and the intent to call 911.
• The intervention proved beneficial in a racially diverse adult emergency department population.
• This approach holds promise for improving public response to stroke events.