Posters
Academic Level (Author 1)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 1)
Neuroscience
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Discipline/Specialty (Author 2)
Neuroscience
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract
Background and Introduction: Stroke continues to be a significant cause of mortality in the United States. Despite advancements in acute stroke treatments such as thrombolytic therapy and endovascular procedures, many patients remain unable to benefit from these interventions due to delays in receiving treatment. Healthcare professionals have made substantial efforts to improve 'door to needle' times, the interval between a patient's arrival at the hospital and the administration of thrombolytic therapy, yielding promising outcomes. However, a critical gap persists: the time interval from the onset of stroke symptoms to when patients actually present at a healthcare facility. This study aims to scrutinize this crucial period, seeking to understand why some patients delay seeking medical help while others arrive promptly. By identifying factors contributing to both early and delayed hospital presentation, we aim to pinpoint areas where interventions can potentially reduce these time intervals.
The findings from this study have the potential to uncover multifaceted strategies aimed at enhancing public awareness of stroke symptoms, improving the efficiency of emergency response protocols, and enhancing community education initiatives. By identifying specific barriers and factors contributing to delays in seeking medical care, such as socioeconomic disparities, cultural beliefs, and geographic access issues, interventions can be tailored to address these challenges. Effective public education campaigns can empower individuals to recognize stroke symptoms early and prompt them to seek immediate medical attention, potentially reducing the time from symptom onset to treatment initiation. Moreover, optimizing these pathways could lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes, including reduced disability and mortality rates associated with stroke. Thus, this study underscores the importance of comprehensive approaches to stroke care that encompass both clinical interventions and community-based initiatives aimed at fostering timely and effective responses to stroke emergencies.
Methods: We are currently conducting a retrospective chart review using stroke data from UT Health Rio Grande Valley to investigate pre-hospital and clinic times for patients diagnosed with cerebrovascular accidents, including ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes, and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). This review focuses on understanding the duration between the onset of stroke symptoms and the patients' arrival at healthcare facilities. By examining these times, we aim to uncover patterns or factors that influence early or delayed recognition and response to stroke symptoms.
The data collected will be stratified by age, race, and ethnicity to identify any disparities or trends in symptom recognition and healthcare access among different demographic groups. The goal is to pinpoint specific issues that may contribute to delays in seeking medical attention, which can be crucial in improving stroke outcomes.
This section of the research is part of a broader study that also considers socioeconomic determinants such as insurance coverage, place of residence, and the use of emergency medical services. These factors play a significant role in healthcare access and outcomes, and their inclusion in the study helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the barriers to timely stroke care.
Currently, we have obtained data from the Athena system used by UTRGV health clinics across the Rio Grande Valley. We are in the process of decoding and interpreting this data to prepare it for analysis and stratification. This research is ongoing, and we aim to present our findings and interpretations at the upcoming research colloquium on September 13, 2024.
Conclusion: Stroke is a major public health burden in the United States, with a significant impact on mortality and long-term disability. Although there have been great advances in the treatment of stroke, including improved medical and surgical interventions that have enhanced recovery and outcomes for many patients, an emphasis needs to be placed on the prevention and early recognition of stroke. Effective prevention strategies can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of strokes, ultimately improving public health outcomes. The aim of this study is to identify specific patterns or factors that contribute to the risk of stroke and can be targeted for intervention. By understanding these patterns, healthcare providers can develop and implement strategies to prevent strokes more effectively.
A potential intervention includes identifying the most vulnerable age groups or ethnicities and providing tailored education and resources. This could involve creating age-specific educational materials that address the unique needs and risk factors of different age groups. For example, younger adults might benefit from information on lifestyle changes and risk factor management, while older adults might need education on recognizing early symptoms and seeking timely medical care. Additionally, cultural and language-specific education can ensure that information is accessible and relevant to diverse populations. By providing education in a person's native language and considering cultural beliefs and practices, healthcare providers can enhance understanding and compliance with preventive measures. This targeted approach aims to reduce the overall incidence of stroke and improve outcomes for those at highest risk.
Presentation Type
Poster
Recommended Citation
Baker, Kelsey and Garcia Sosa, Elio E., "Pre-Hospital stroke time intervals in the Rio Grande Valley" (2024). Research Colloquium. 47.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/colloquium/2024/posters/47
Included in
Emergency Medicine Commons, Neurology Commons, Neurosciences Commons
Pre-Hospital stroke time intervals in the Rio Grande Valley
Background and Introduction: Stroke continues to be a significant cause of mortality in the United States. Despite advancements in acute stroke treatments such as thrombolytic therapy and endovascular procedures, many patients remain unable to benefit from these interventions due to delays in receiving treatment. Healthcare professionals have made substantial efforts to improve 'door to needle' times, the interval between a patient's arrival at the hospital and the administration of thrombolytic therapy, yielding promising outcomes. However, a critical gap persists: the time interval from the onset of stroke symptoms to when patients actually present at a healthcare facility. This study aims to scrutinize this crucial period, seeking to understand why some patients delay seeking medical help while others arrive promptly. By identifying factors contributing to both early and delayed hospital presentation, we aim to pinpoint areas where interventions can potentially reduce these time intervals.
The findings from this study have the potential to uncover multifaceted strategies aimed at enhancing public awareness of stroke symptoms, improving the efficiency of emergency response protocols, and enhancing community education initiatives. By identifying specific barriers and factors contributing to delays in seeking medical care, such as socioeconomic disparities, cultural beliefs, and geographic access issues, interventions can be tailored to address these challenges. Effective public education campaigns can empower individuals to recognize stroke symptoms early and prompt them to seek immediate medical attention, potentially reducing the time from symptom onset to treatment initiation. Moreover, optimizing these pathways could lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes, including reduced disability and mortality rates associated with stroke. Thus, this study underscores the importance of comprehensive approaches to stroke care that encompass both clinical interventions and community-based initiatives aimed at fostering timely and effective responses to stroke emergencies.
Methods: We are currently conducting a retrospective chart review using stroke data from UT Health Rio Grande Valley to investigate pre-hospital and clinic times for patients diagnosed with cerebrovascular accidents, including ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes, and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). This review focuses on understanding the duration between the onset of stroke symptoms and the patients' arrival at healthcare facilities. By examining these times, we aim to uncover patterns or factors that influence early or delayed recognition and response to stroke symptoms.
The data collected will be stratified by age, race, and ethnicity to identify any disparities or trends in symptom recognition and healthcare access among different demographic groups. The goal is to pinpoint specific issues that may contribute to delays in seeking medical attention, which can be crucial in improving stroke outcomes.
This section of the research is part of a broader study that also considers socioeconomic determinants such as insurance coverage, place of residence, and the use of emergency medical services. These factors play a significant role in healthcare access and outcomes, and their inclusion in the study helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the barriers to timely stroke care.
Currently, we have obtained data from the Athena system used by UTRGV health clinics across the Rio Grande Valley. We are in the process of decoding and interpreting this data to prepare it for analysis and stratification. This research is ongoing, and we aim to present our findings and interpretations at the upcoming research colloquium on September 13, 2024.
Conclusion: Stroke is a major public health burden in the United States, with a significant impact on mortality and long-term disability. Although there have been great advances in the treatment of stroke, including improved medical and surgical interventions that have enhanced recovery and outcomes for many patients, an emphasis needs to be placed on the prevention and early recognition of stroke. Effective prevention strategies can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of strokes, ultimately improving public health outcomes. The aim of this study is to identify specific patterns or factors that contribute to the risk of stroke and can be targeted for intervention. By understanding these patterns, healthcare providers can develop and implement strategies to prevent strokes more effectively.
A potential intervention includes identifying the most vulnerable age groups or ethnicities and providing tailored education and resources. This could involve creating age-specific educational materials that address the unique needs and risk factors of different age groups. For example, younger adults might benefit from information on lifestyle changes and risk factor management, while older adults might need education on recognizing early symptoms and seeking timely medical care. Additionally, cultural and language-specific education can ensure that information is accessible and relevant to diverse populations. By providing education in a person's native language and considering cultural beliefs and practices, healthcare providers can enhance understanding and compliance with preventive measures. This targeted approach aims to reduce the overall incidence of stroke and improve outcomes for those at highest risk.