Adam G. Kelly

Early stroke mortality, patient preferences, and the withdrawal of care bias.

Objective: Early mortality is a potential measure of the quality of care provided to hospitalized stroke patients. Whether in-hospital stroke mortality is reflective of deviations from evidence-based practices or patient/family preferences on life-sustaining measures is unclear. Methods: All ischemic stroke mortalities at an academic medical center were reviewed to better understand the causes of inpatient stroke mortality. Results: Among 37 deaths or discharges to hospice in 2009, 36 occurred after a patient/family decision to withdraw/withhold potentially life-sustaining interventions. An independent survey of 3 vascular neurologists revealed that some early deaths could have been delayed beyond 30 days if patients or families had agreed to more aggressive measures. From these data, we estimate the magnitude of a “withdrawal of care” bias to be approximately 40% of the observed short-term mortality. Conclusions: Acute stroke mortality may be more reflective of patient/family preferences than the provision of evidence-based care.

Palliative care consultations in hospitalized stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pattern and characteristics of palliative care (PC) consultations in patients with stroke and compare them with the characteristics of nonstroke consultations. METHODS The palliative care program at Strong Memorial Hospital (SMH) was established in October 2001. SMH is a 765-bed academic medical center with approximately 38,000 discharges. For each consult from 2005 to 2007, we collected demographic, clinical, and service-related information. We explored similarities and differences in patients with different types of stroke, including patients with ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and subdural hematoma. In addition, we compared these data to the nonstroke patients who had a palliative care consultation during the same time period. RESULTS Over the 3-year period from 2005 to 2007, there were a total of 101 consultations in patients with stroke (6.3% of all PC consultations). Of the 101 consultations, 31 were in patients with ischemic stroke, 26 in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, 30 in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 14 in patients with subdural hematoma. Patients with stroke who had a PC consult were more functionally impaired, less likely to have capacity, more likely to die in the hospital, and to have fewer traditional symptom burdens than other common diagnoses seen on the PC consultation service. The most common trajectory to death was withdrawal of mechanical ventilation, but varied by type of stroke. Common treatments negotiated in these consultations included mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition, tracheostomy, and less likely antibiobics, intravenous fluids, and various neurosurgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS Patients with stroke are a common diagnosis seen on an inpatient palliative care consult service. Each stroke type represents patients with potentially distinct palliative care needs.

Estimating and communicating prognosis in advanced neurologic disease

Prognosis can no longer be relegated behind diagnosis and therapy in high-quality neurologic care. High-stakes decisions that patients (or their surrogates) make often rest upon perceptions and beliefs about prognosis, many of which are poorly informed. The new science of prognostication—the estimating and communication “what to expect”—is in its infancy and the evidence base to support “best practices” is lacking. We propose a framework for formulating a prediction and communicating “what to expect” with patients, families, and surrogates in the context of common neurologic illnesses. Because neurologic disease affects function as much as survival, we specifically address 2 important prognostic questions: “How long?” and “How well?” We provide a summary of prognostic information and highlight key points when tailoring a prognosis for common neurologic diseases. We discuss the challenges of managing prognostic uncertainty, balancing hope and realism, and ways to effectively engage surrogate decision-makers. We also describe what is known about the nocebo effects and the self-fulfilling prophecy when communicating prognoses. There is an urgent need to establish research and educational priorities to build a credible evidence base to support best practices, improve communication skills, and optimize decision-making. Confronting the challenges of prognosis is necessary to fulfill the promise of delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

Health state preferences and decision-making after malignant middle cerebral artery infarctions

Objectives: Despite recent trials demonstrating improved functional outcomes in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery ischemic strokes treated with hemicraniectomy, survivors still experience significant stroke-related disability. The value assigned to health states with significant disability varies widely and may influence decisions regarding hemicraniectomy. Methods: A medical decision analysis was used to evaluate the results of recent hemicraniectomy trials in terms of quality-adjusted life-years. Survival data and probability of various functional outcome states (modified Rankin score 2–3 or 4–5) at 1 year were abstracted from clinical trial data. Utility scores for modified Rankin states were abstracted from literature sources. Sensitivity analyses were performed to study results over a wide range of utility values. All modeling was performed on TreeAge Pro software. Results: The hemicraniectomy treatment pathway was associated with more quality-adjusted life-years over the first year than the medical management pathway (0.414 vs 0.145). Hemicraniectomy remained the preferred option except when the utility associated with the possible outcome states dropped considerably (0.72 to 0.40 for Rankin 2–3, and 0.41 to 0.04 for Rankin 4–5), or when 1-week surgical mortality increased considerably (5% to 67%). Conclusions: Over a 1-year time horizon, treating patients with malignant middle cerebral artery strokes with hemicraniectomy is associated with more quality-adjusted life-years than medical management alone, except under conditions where patients value possible resultant health states very poorly or surgical mortality is excessively high.

Current practices in feeding tube placement for US acute ischemic stroke inpatients

Objective: We sought to identify current US hospital practices for feeding tube placement in ischemic stroke. Methods: In a retrospective observational study, we examined the frequency of feeding tube placement among hospitals in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample with ≥30 adult ischemic stroke admissions annually with length of stay greater than 3 days. We examined trends from 2004 to 2011 and predictors using data from more recent years (2008–2011). We used multilevel multivariable regression models accounting for a hospital random effect, adjusted for patient-level and hospital-level factors to predict feeding tube placement. Results: Feeding tube insertion rates did not change from 2004 to 2011 (8.1 vs 8.4 per 100 admissions; p trend = 0.11). Among 1,540 hospitals with 164,408 stroke hospitalizations from 2008 to 2011, a feeding tube was placed 8.8% of the time (n = 14,480). Variation in the rate of feeding tube placement was high, from 0% to 26% between hospitals (interquartile range 4.8%–11.2%). In the subset with available race/ethnicity data (n = 88,385), after controlling for patient demographics, socioeconomics, and comorbidities, hospital factors associated with feeding tube placement included stroke volume (odds ratio [OR] 1.28 highest vs lowest quartile; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–1.49), for-profit status (OR 1.13 vs nonprofit; 95% CI 1.01–1.25), and intubation use (OR 1.66 highest vs lowest quartile; 95% CI 1.47–1.87). In addition, hospitals with higher rates of black/Hispanic stroke admissions had increased risk of feeding tube placement (OR 1.28 highest vs lowest quartile; 95% CI 1.14–1.44). Conclusions: Variation in feeding tube insertion rates across hospitals is large. Differences across hospitals may be partly explained by external factors beyond the patient-centered decision to insert a feeding tube.

Predictors of Rapid Brain Imaging in Acute Stroke: Analysis of the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke Program

Background and Purpose— National guidelines recommend patients with acute stroke undergo brain imaging within 25 minutes of emergency department arrival. Delayed brain imaging may reduce the effectiveness of thrombolysis or render patients ineligible. Methods— Data from the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program from 2003 to 2009 were analyzed to determine overall imaging rates, temporal trends, and predictive variables associated with door-to-imaging times in patients who presented to an emergency department within 2 hours of stroke symptom onset and did not have clear reasons for withholding thrombolysis. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for within-hospital clustering was performed to identify independent predictors of brain imaging within 25 minutes of emergency department arrival. Results— Brain imaging was performed within 25 minutes in 41.7% of patients. Rates of imaging within 25 minutes increased from 2003 to 2009 (33.3%–44.5%). In the multivariable model, the following variables were associated with less likelihood of imaging being completed within 25 minutes: age >70 years; female gender; nonwhite race; history of diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or prosthetic heart valve; transportation other than ambulance; arrival >60 minutes after symptom onset; and hospital location in the Northeast. Patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores of 16 to 25 (compared with other strata) were most likely to have imaging completed within 25 minutes. Conclusions— Most patients with acute stroke symptoms do not have brain imaging performed within the recommended 25 minutes. Future quality improvement initiatives should focus on reducing door-to-imaging times with a specific emphasis on the predictive variables identified in this analysis.

Public Reporting of Quality Data for Stroke Is It Measuring Quality

Background and Purpose— Public reporting of quality data is becoming more common and increasingly used to improve choices of patients, providers, and payers. We reviewed the scope and content of stroke data being reported to the public and how well it captures the quality of stroke care. Methods— We performed a cross-sectional survey of all report cards within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Report Card Compendium. Stroke quality data were categorized into one of 5 groups: structure, process, outcomes, utilization, and finances. We also determined the congruence of mortality ratings of New York hospitals provided by 2 different report cards. Results— Of 221 available report cards, 19 (9%) reported quality information regarding stroke and 17 specifically addressed the quality of hospital-based stroke care. The most frequent data reported were utilization measures (n=15 report cards) and outcome measures (n=14 report cards). Data regarding finances (n=4), structure of care (n=2), and process of care (n=1) were reported infrequently. Ratings were incongruent in 61 of the 157 hospitals (39%) with the same hospital being rated below average on one report care and average on another in 44 hospitals. Conclusions— Publicly reported quality data pertaining to patients with stroke are incomplete, confusing, and inaccurate. Without further improvements and a better understanding of the needs and limitations of the many stakeholders, targeted transparency policies for stroke care may lead to worse quality and large economic losses.

Variation in Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders for Patients With Ischemic Stroke Implications for National Hospital Comparisons

Background and Purpose— Decisions on life-sustaining treatments and the use of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders can affect early mortality after stroke. We investigated the variation in early DNR use after stroke among hospitals in California and the effect of this variation on mortality-based hospital classifications. Methods— Using the California State Inpatient Database from 2005 to 2011, ischemic stroke admissions for patients aged ≥50 years were identified. Cases were categorized by the presence or the absence of DNR orders within the first 24 hours of admission. Multilevel logistic regression models with a random hospital intercept were used to predict inpatient mortality after adjusting for comorbidities, vascular risk factors, and demographics. Hospital mortality rank order was assigned based on this model and compared with the results of a second model that included DNR status. Results— From 355 hospitals, 252 368 cases were identified, including 33 672 (13.3%) with early DNR. Hospital-level–adjusted use of DNR varied widely (quintile 1, 2.2% versus quintile 5, 23.2%). Hospitals with higher early DNR use had higher inpatient mortality because inpatient mortality more than doubled from quintile 1 (4.2%) to quintile 5 (8.7%). Failure to adjust for DNR orders resulted in substantial hospital reclassification across the rank spectrum, including among high mortality hospitals. Conclusions— There is wide variation in the hospital-level proportion of ischemic stroke patients with early DNR orders; this variation affects hospital mortality estimates. Unless the circumstances of early DNR orders are better understood, mortality-based hospital comparisons may not reliably identify hospitals providing a lower quality of care.

Ethical considerations in stroke patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Medical decision-making in stroke patients can be complex and often involves ethical challenges, from the perspective of healthcare providers as well as patients and their families. Awareness of these challenges and knowledge of current ethical topics in stroke may improve the quality of care provided to stroke patients. RECENT FINDINGS Predictive scores are increasingly available to estimate prognosis following stroke, though their usefulness in decision-making for individual patients remains unclear. Medical decisions requiring a surrogate decision-maker can be challenging; surrogates may also be susceptible to systematic biases in their decision-making. Variations in care are common and possibly related to under-utilization or over-utilization of resources. However, patient preferences may explain some of the variability as well. Early mortality may be related to patient and family preferences regarding life-sustaining measures rather than the provision of care that is not well tolerated or evidence-based. SUMMARY Ethical challenges are common in the care of stroke patients. An effective understanding of these topics is essential for clinicians to deliver patient-centered, preference-sensitive care.

Timing of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: An Observational Study From the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

Background and Purpose— Stroke guidelines recommend time-limited trials of nasogastric feeding prior to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement. We sought to describe timing of PEG placement and identify factors associated with early PEG for acute ischemic stroke. Methods— We designed a retrospective observational study to examine time to PEG for ischemic stroke admissions in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2001 to 2011. We defined early PEG placement as 1 to 7 days from admission. Using multivariable regression analysis, we identified the effects of patient and hospital characteristics on PEG timing. Results— We identified 34 623 admissions receiving a PEG from 2001 to 2011, 53% of which received the PEG 1 to 7 days from admission. Among hospitals placing ≥10 PEG tubes, median time to PEG for individual hospitals ranged from 3 days to over 3 weeks (interquartile range 6–8.5 days). Older adult age groups were associated with early PEG (≥85 years versus 18–54 years: adjusted odds ratio 1.68, 95% confidence interval 1.50–1.87). Those receiving a PEG and tracheostomy were more likely to receive the PEG beyond 7 days, and these patients were more often younger compared with PEG only recipients. Those admitted to high-volume hospitals were more likely to receive their PEG early (≥350 versus <150 hospitalizations; adjusted odds ratio 1.26, 95% confidence interval 1.17–1.35). Conclusions— More than half of the PEG recipients received their surgical feeding tube within 7 days of admission. The oldest old, who may benefit most from time-limited trials of nasogastric feeding for ≥2 to 3 weeks, were most likely to receive a PEG within 7 days.