Improving access and timeliness to endovascular clot retrieval

Complete - 2018

Summary

Endovascular clot retrieval (ECR) is a highly effective treatment that reduces disability/death after an ischaemic stroke. However, patient referral to and acceptance by ECR centres vary.

We updated Victorian ECR protocols to help health services identify patients suitable for ECR, and ensure they are transferred and treated quickly.

Outcome

View our updated protocol and supporting resources.

We revised this statewide service protocol to help health services identify patients who are suitable for endovascular clot retrieval, and ensure they are transferred and treated quickly.

Targets

• Increased proportion of ischemic stroke patients referred for, and treated by, ECR
• Improved outcomes and experience for ischemic stroke patients who receive ECR.

Measures

Project completed, but too early to measure.

• 10% of ischaemic strokes treated by ECR
• Reduced variation - % patients referred for ECR by individual centres
• % ischemic stroke patients admitted
• % of strokes thrombolysed, access to advanced CT brain imaging (especially CTP), return of patient to referring centre
• Timeliness measures ¬ start to end procedure, DIDO, time from adm to CT scan (CODE STROKE), Door to needle time, CT to decision time