The effect and associated factors of dispatcher recognition of stroke: A retrospective observational study
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
117
Journal Issue
10
Pages
902-908
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Sun J.-T.
Chien Y.-C.
the Taipei EMS Stroke Collaborative Group
Abstract
Background/purpose: Details of the communication between the caller and dispatcher have not been reported previously in Taiwan. This study aimed to: (1) understand the details of the communication between the caller and dispatcher among the calls for stroke patients, (2) identify factors associated with stroke recognition by dispatchers, and (3) evaluate the association between stroke recognition by dispatchers and stroke management. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study involving patients with stroke or transient ischemic stroke transported by the emergency medical service, and arriving at 9 hospitals in Taipei within 3 h of symptom onset from January 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014. Patients were excluded if tape-recording data or prehospital information were not available. Data of the enrolled patients were reviewed. We used stroke dispatch determination as the surrogate for stroke recognition by dispatchers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with stroke dispatch determination. Results: A total of 507 patients were included. In approximately 50% of cases, callers were close family members. Ninety-one patients (17.9%) had stroke dispatch determination. After adjustment, stroke reported spontaneously, any symptom included in the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale reported spontaneously, and dispatcher adherence to the protocol, were associated with stroke dispatch determination significantly. Stroke dispatch determination was associated with receiving pre-arrival notification, shorter door-to-computed tomography time, and thrombolytic therapy. Conclusion: The dispatchers should spend more time identifying stroke patients by following the dispatch protocol. Recognition of stroke by dispatchers was associated with improved stroke care. ? 2017
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; computer assisted tomography; emergency health service; female; fibrinolytic therapy; human; major clinical study; male; multicenter study; observational study; recording; retrospective study; stroke patient; attitude to health; cerebrovascular accident; clinical trial; decision support system; early diagnosis; emergency medical dispatcher; fibrinolytic therapy; interpersonal communication; middle aged; multivariate analysis; organization and management; recognition; retrospective study; statistical model; Taiwan; time factor; time to treatment; Adult; Communication; Decision Support Techniques; Early Diagnosis; Emergency Medical Dispatcher; Emergency Medical Services; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Recognition (Psychology); Retrospective Studies; Stroke; Taiwan; Thrombolytic Therapy; Time Factors; Time-to-Treatment
Type
journal article