Rollout of a statewide Australian telestroke network including virtual reality training is associated with improved hyperacute stroke workflow metrics and thrombolysis rate

Autor: Carlos Garcia-Esperon, Steven Maltby, Ken Butcher, Md Golam Hasnain, Beng Lim Alvin Chew, William O'Brien, James W. Evans, Timothy Ang, Leon Edwards, Christopher Blair, Candice Delcourt, Mark W. Parsons, Ferdinand Miteff, Jason Dizon, David Lambkin, Daniel Barker, Murielle G. Kluge, John H. Wiggers, Christopher R. Levi, Neil J. Spratt, Frederick Rohan Walker, The Virtual Reality NSW Telestroke Group, Chris Oldmeadow, Rachel Peake, Jaclyn Birnie, Amanda Buzio, Jennifer Steel, Kim Parrey, Emma McCartney, Thembelihle Mathe, Matthew Shepherd, Lisa Dark, James Hughes, Kate Jackson, Claire Gill, Courtney Dixon, Skye Russell, Natalie Wilson
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Frontiers in Stroke, Vol 3 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2813-3056
DOI: 10.3389/fstro.2024.1382608
Popis: BackgroundTelestroke networks aim to address variability in both quality and access to stroke care in rural areas, by providing remote access to expert stroke neurologists. Implementation of telestroke requires adaptation of workflow processes and education. We previously developed virtual reality (VR) workflow training and documented acceptability, utility and feasibility. The effects on acute stroke treatment metrics have not been previously described.AimsThe overall aim was to improve hyperacute stroke metrics and shorten the time-to-reperfusion therapy administration in rural settings.MethodsThis study applies a natural experiment approach, collecting stroke metric data during transition from a pre-existing pilot to a statewide telestroke service at five rural hospitals. Pre- and post-intervention data included baseline patient demographics and assessment, diagnosis, and treatment delivery metrics. The primary study outcome was door-to-decision time (thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy). Secondary outcomes included door-to-computerized tomography time, door-to-thrombolysis time and proportion of patients receiving thrombolysis or thrombectomy treatment. Usage data relating to the VR stroke workflow training of interprofessional healthcare professionals was automatically captured via Wi-Fi. Statistical comparisons of clinical metrics between the pre- and post-intervention time periods, defined as the timeframes before and after VR deployment, were performed.ResultsA total of 2,683 patients were included (April 2013–December 2022); 1910 pre- and 773 post-intervention. All acute stroke time metrics significantly improved post-intervention. The primary outcome, door-to-decision time, decreased from 80 min [56–118] to 54 min [40–76; P < 0.001]. Secondary outcomes also improved, including door-to-thrombolysis time (90 min [68–114] vs. 68.5 min [54–90]; P < 0.001) and proportion of patients thrombolysed (11 vs. 16%; P < 0.001). The proportion of patients transferred for thrombectomy was unchanged (6 vs. 7%; P = 0.69). Seventy VR sessions totaling 15 h 39 min of training time were logged. VR training usage varied across sites (3–31 sessions per site).ConclusionsDelivery of a multi-factorial intervention including infrastructure, funding, education and training (with VR workflow training) as part of a state-wide telestroke rollout was associated with improved acute stroke treatment metrics. Additional work is required to identify the contribution of each intervention component on clinical outcomes and to increase training uptake and sustainment.
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