Prehospital Stroke Triage: A Modeling Study on the Impact of Triage Tools in Different Regions

Martijne H.C. Duvekot*, Bjarty L. Garcia, on behalf of the Leiden Prehospital Stroke Study and PRESTO Investigators, Luuk Dekker, Truc My Nguyen, Ido R. van den Wijngaard, Karlijn F. de Laat, Els L.L.M. de Schryver, Loet M.H. Kloos, Leo A.M. Aerden, Stas A. Zylicz, Jan Bosch, Eduard van Belle, Erik W. van Zwet, Anouk D. Rozeman, Walid Moudrous, Frédérique H. Vermeij, Hester F. Lingsma, Jeannette Bakker, Pieter Jan van DoormaalAdriaan C.G.M. van Es, Aad van der Lugt, Marieke J.H. Wermer, Diederik W.J. Dippel, Henk Kerkhoff, Bob Roozenbeek, Nyika D. Kruyt, Esmee Venema

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Background and purpose: Direct transportation to a thrombectomy-capable intervention center is beneficial for patients with ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO), but can delay intravenous thrombolytics (IVT). The aim of this modeling study was to estimate the effect of prehospital triage strategies on treatment delays and overtriage in different regions. Methods: We used data from two prospective cohort studies in the Netherlands: the Leiden Prehospital Stroke Study and the PRESTO study. We included stroke code patients within 6 h from symptom onset. We modeled outcomes of Rapid Arterial oCclusion Evaluation (RACE) scale triage and triage with a personalized decision tool, using drip-and-ship as reference. Main outcomes were overtriage (stroke code patients incorrectly triaged to an intervention center), reduced delay to endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), and delay to IVT. Results: We included 1798 stroke code patients from four ambulance regions. Per region, overtriage ranged from 1-13% (RACE triage) and 3-15% (personalized tool). Reduction of delay to EVT varied by region between 24 ± 5 min (n = 6) to 78 ± 3 (n = 2), while IVT delay increased with 5 (n = 5) to 15 min (n = 21) for non-LVO patients. The personalized tool reduced delay to EVT for more patients (25 ± 4 min [n = 8] to 49 ± 13 [n = 5]), while delaying IVT with 3-14 min (8-24 patients). In region C, most EVT patients were treated faster (reduction of delay to EVT 31 ± 6 min (n = 35), with RACE triage and the personalized tool. Conclusions: In this modeling study, we showed that prehospital triage reduced time to EVT without disproportionate IVT delay, compared to a drip-and-ship strategy. The effect of triage strategies and the associated overtriage varied between regions. Implementation of prehospital triage should therefore be considered on a regional level.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)630-638
Number of pages9
JournalPrehospital Emergency Care
Volume27
Issue number5
Early online date20 Jun 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding: The LPSS was funded by the Dutch Brain Foundation, the DutchHealth Care Insurers Innovation Foundation, and Health Holland. ThePRESTO study was funded by the BeterKeten collaboration and TheiaFoundation (Zilveren Kruis)

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

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