BOZEMAN, Mont. — Duke University School of Medicine researchers concluded that stroke patients receive faster treatment when EMS activated stroke teams from the field than by other methods of arrival.
The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 12 major medical centers that used Pulsara’s Stop Stroke, a mobile application that allows EMS transporting a stroke patient to notify emergency department staff and stroke specialists with the tap of a button on a smartphone.
Using data from March 2013 to May 2016, they found cases activated by EMS in the field resulted in significant reductions in door-to-CT scan and door-to-needle times, as well as an increased likelihood of meeting door-to-needle goals when compared to cases activated in the emergency department.
The study included 2,589 unique stroke cases and found that those activated by EMS were significantly more likely to receive treatment within 60 minutes of hospital arrival than those whose cases were not activated by EMS. The researchers controlled for age, sex, stroke severity (NIHSS score) and time of day.
The researchers concluded that mobile emergency care coordination may lead to more efficient and effective stroke care, and that “early activation of a mobile coordination platform in the field appears to promote a more expedited and successful care process.”
This research is the first multi-center study of stroke systems using Pulsara, and provides further evidence for the need for updated technology and communication protocols in prehospital and emergency medicine. Previous research has indicated up to 46 percent improvement in door-to-needle times associated with the implementation and use of Pulsara by EMS, emergency department and stroke teams.