Publication
Title
A competitive clinical environment improves procedural times in endovascular stroke treatment
Author
Abstract
Background and purpose Despite numerous optimization attempts, time delays are still a relevant problem in endovascular stroke treatment. We hypothesized that public display of the fastest procedural times in our institution would raise awareness, which would result in improved procedural times. Methods We established a competition, which lasted 6months, in which the fastest neurovascular team in terms of procedural times (image to reperfusion) was displayed on a public board in our institution and rewarded with public praise. During this time no other relevant procedural or infrastructural means for improvement of procedural times were introduced in our institution. We prospectively evaluated procedural times in 496 patients who received endovascular stroke treatment 9months before the competition, during the competition, and during the four 6-month time periods for 2years after the competition. Results Median image-to-reperfusion times improved significantly from 98min before the competition to 85min during the competition (p=0.005) and remained stable with a median of 81min 2years after the competition (p=0.837). Conclusion We were able to improve our procedural times significantly with a simple and cost-efficient competition. This effect was sustained 2years after the competition was completed, implying that the improvement in procedural times was probably due to raised awareness.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of neurointerventional surgery. - London
Publication
London : BMJ Publishing Group , 2019
ISSN
1759-8478
DOI
10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2019-014768
Volume/pages
11 :8 (2019) , p. 781-784
ISI
000484064400013
Pubmed ID
31088943
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 07.10.2019
Last edited 28.11.2024
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