Implementation of a Thrombectomy Stroke Center Triage Program in New York City Emergency Medical Services

Abstract

BACKGROUND Due to the increased morbidity and mortality associated with acute cerebral ischemia caused by large vessel occlusions, the New York City (NYC) 9‐1‐1 Emergency Medical Services system implemented the NYC Stroke Triage Protocol with the intention of improving access to endovascular therapy for patients with suspected severe stroke. METHODS Successful collaboration between multiple stakeholders enabled the NYC region to develop and implement a new stroke system of care for patients treated by Emergency Medical Services. Descriptive statistics including medians (interquartile range) and proportions were used as appropriate. Continuous data were compared using Mann–Whitney tests for medians and categorical data were compared by using Pearson chi‐square test. RESULTS Between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2022, 1337 (83.5%) patients directly transported under the NYC Stroke Triage Protocol by the NYC 9‐1‐1 Emergency Medical Services system to a Thrombectomy Stroke Center had a stroke diagnosis. Patients transported to a more distant Thrombectomy Stroke Center traveled an average of 5.7 minutes longer compared with those who were delivered to the closest Primary Stroke Center but the overall time between first patient contact and first pass at a Thrombectomy Stroke Center was an estimated 98.2 minutes shorter. Approximately 24% of directly transported patients with a stroke diagnosis underwent a thrombectomy. CONCLUSIONS The NYC Stroke Triage Protocol increased access to advanced interventional stroke care for eligible patients by decreasing time to treatment through prehospital identification of patients with severe stroke and directly transporting them to a stroke center capable of providing endovascular therapy.