Improving stroke care through coordinated triage
Trauma Communications Center Coordinated Severity-Based Stroke Triage
University of Alabama at Birmingham · NCT04978480
This study is testing a new way to quickly direct stroke patients in Alabama to the right hospitals to see if it helps more people get life-saving treatments.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 1500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Alabama at Birmingham (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Birmingham, Alabama) |
| Trial ID | NCT04978480 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This initiative aims to enhance acute stroke care in Alabama by implementing a coordinated severity-based triage system for patients with suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO). The Alabama Trauma Communications Center will facilitate the routing of patients to appropriate stroke centers based on hospital resources and patient needs. The study will compare the rates of mechanical thrombectomy treatment before and after the implementation of this system, assess its public health impact, and gather stakeholder perceptions. The goal is to improve access to life-saving treatments for stroke patients across the state.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients suspected of having a large vessel occlusion stroke who are entered into the Alabama stroke system by emergency medical services.
Not a fit: Patients who are unresponsive or have a last known well time greater than 24 hours will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this initiative could significantly increase the number of stroke patients receiving timely mechanical thrombectomy, improving their health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that coordinated trauma systems can effectively improve patient outcomes, suggesting potential success for this novel approach in stroke care.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients entered into the Alabama stroke system by EMS * Suspected Large-Vessel Occlusion (score ≥ 4) based on a validated 6 item stroke severity scale, the Emergency Medical Stroke Assessment (EMSA) Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who respond only to pain or who are unresponsive at the time of EMS evaluation based on the Alert, responds to Voice, responds to Pain and Unresponsive (AVPU) Scale * Patients with last known well time \> 24 hours at the time of EMS evaluation
Where this trial is running
Birmingham, Alabama
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, Alabama, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Toby Gropen, MD — UAB Neurology
- Study coordinator: Toby Gropen, MD
- Email: tgropen@uabmc.edu
- Phone: 205-934-2401
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Stroke