Name: setting up a stroke team algorithm and conducting simulation-based training in the emergency department - a practical guide
Uploaded: 2017-01-15T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide at JoVE.com

The Stroke Team training was supported by a research grant of Boehringer Ingelheim to WP.

1. Prenotification of the ED
<ol>
	<li>After the ED nurse hears an alarm, go to the computer screen immediately.</li>
	<li>Check the information above the incoming patient via the online platform (e.g., IVENA Ehealth)7. Find that the system announces a 66&#160;year-old male patient with the tentative diagnosis of a stroke within the time window (stroke &#60;6 hr) with the estimated time of arrival.</li>
	<li>Pre-notify the resident of the SU via phone call.</li>
	<li>As the SU resident hears the mob...

<ol>
	<li>Emberson, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stroke+Thrombolysis+Trialists'+Collaborative+Group.+Effect+of+treatment+delay,+age,+and+stroke+severity+on+the+effects+of+intravenous+thrombolysis+with+alteplase+for+acute+ischaemic+stroke:+a+meta-analysis+of+individual+patient+data+from+randomised+trials.">Stroke Thrombolysis Trialists' Collaborative Group. Effect of treatment delay, age, and stroke severity on the effects of intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase for acute ischaemic stroke: a meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomised trials.</a> Lancet. 384 (9958), 1929-1935 (1929).</li><li>Goyal, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=HERMES+collaborators.+Endovascular+thrombectomy+after+large-vessel+ischaemic+stroke:+a+meta-analysis+of+individual+patient+data+from+five+randomised+trials.">HERMES collaborators. Endovascular thrombectomy after large-vessel ischaemic stroke: a meta-analysis of individual patient data from five randomised trials.</a> Lancet. 387 (10029), 1723-1731 (2016).</li><li>Goyal, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=SWIFT+PRIME+investigators.+Analysis+of+Workflow+and+Time+to+Treatment+and+the+Effects+on+Outcome+in+Endovascular+Treatment+of+Acute+Ischemic+Stroke:+Results+from+the+SWIFT+PRIME+Randomized+Controlled+Trial.">SWIFT PRIME investigators. Analysis of Workflow and Time to Treatment and the Effects on Outcome in Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Results from the SWIFT PRIME Randomized Controlled Trial.</a> Radiology. 279 (3), 888-897 (2016).</li><li>Flin, R., Maran, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Basic+concepts+for+crew+resource+management+and+non-technical+skills.">Basic concepts for crew resource management and non-technical skills.</a> Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 29 (1), 27-39 (2015).</li><li>Flin, R., O'Connor, P., Crichton, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Safety+at+the+sharp+end.">Safety at the sharp end.</a> A guide to non-technical skills. , (2008).</li><li>American Heart Association. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Adavanced Cardiovascular Life Support Provider Manual. 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H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+the+Alberta+Stroke+Program+Early+CT+Score+(ASPECTS)+for+assessing+CT+scans+in+patients+with+acute+stroke.">Use of the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) for assessing CT scans in patients with acute stroke.</a> AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 22, 1534-1542 (2001).</li><li>Tahtali, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Crew+resource+management+and+simulator+training+in+acute+stroke+therapy.">Crew resource management and simulator training in acute stroke therapy.</a> Nervenarzt. , (2016).</li><li>Meretoja, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reducing+in-hospital+delay+to+20+minutes+in+stroke+thrombolysis.">Reducing in-hospital delay to 20 minutes in stroke thrombolysis.</a> Neurology. 79 (4), 306-313 (2012).</li><li>Meretoja, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Helsinki+model+cut+stroke+thrombolysis+delays+to+25+minutes+in+Melbourne+in+only+4+months.">Helsinki model cut stroke thrombolysis delays to 25 minutes in Melbourne in only 4 months.</a> Neurology. 81 (12), 1071-1076 (2013).</li><li>Ebinger, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+the+use+of+ambulance-based+thrombolysis+on+time+to+thrombolysis+in+acute+ischemic+stroke:+a+randomized+clinical+trial.">Effect of the use of ambulance-based thrombolysis on time to thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke: a randomized clinical trial.</a> JAMA. 311 (16), 1622-1631 (2014).</li><li>Ebinger, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prehospital+thrombolysis:+a+manual+from+Berlin.">Prehospital thrombolysis: a manual from Berlin.</a> J Vis Exp. 26 (81), e50534 (2013).</li><li>Itrat, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cleveland+Pre-Hospital+Acute+Stroke+Treatment+Group.+Telemedicine+in+Prehospital+Stroke+Evaluation+and+Thrombolysis:+Taking+Stroke+Treatment+to+the+Doorstep.">Cleveland Pre-Hospital Acute Stroke Treatment Group. Telemedicine in Prehospital Stroke Evaluation and Thrombolysis: Taking Stroke Treatment to the Doorstep.</a> JAMA Neurol. 73 (2), 162-168 (2016).</li><li>Fletcher, G., Flin, R., McGeorge, P., Glavin, R., Maran, N., Patey, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anaesthetists'+Non-Technical+Skills+(ANTS):+evaluation+of+a+behavioural+marker+system.">Anaesthetists' Non-Technical Skills (ANTS): evaluation of a behavioural marker system.</a> Br J Anaesth. 90 (5), 580-588 (2012).</li><li>Youngson, G. G., Flin, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Patient+safety+in+surgery:+non-technical+aspects+of+safe+surgical+performance.">Patient safety in surgery: non-technical aspects of safe surgical performance.</a> Patient Saf Surg. 4 (1), (2010).</li><li>Barzallo Salazar, M. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Influence+of+surgeon+behavior+on+trainee+willingness+to+speak+up:+a+randomized+controlled+trial.">Influence of surgeon behavior on trainee willingness to speak up: a randomized controlled trial.</a> J Am Coll Surg. 219 (5), 1001-1007 (2014).</li><li>Mata, D. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prevalence+of+Depression+and+Depressive+Symptoms+Among+Resident+Physicians:+A+Systematic+Review+and+Meta-analysis.">Prevalence of Depression and Depressive Symptoms Among Resident Physicians: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.</a> JAMA. 314 (22), 2373-2383 (2015).</li><li>Kleim, B., Bingisser, M. 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A binding stroke team algorithm and regular simulation-based stroke team trainings can lead to a long-term reduction of the door-to-needle time as the key benchmark process time for acute stroke treatment. Excellent examples of a set of measures that improve the acute stroke work flow, which also inspired our algorithm, have been described by the Helsinki group14,15. Another very innovative approach to shorten the time interval from symptom onset to thrombolysis are mobile stroke units such as the pioneering S...

The efficacy of thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for acute ischemic stroke is highly time-dependent and decreases over time even in the therapeutic time window of 4.5 hr1. The same has been shown for endovascular stroke therapy2. The additional mechanical recanalization after thrombolysis has been shown to be highly effective in improving outcomes of patients with severe stroke due to Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO)3. This new therapy adds to the complexity and interdisciplinarity of acute stroke care since endovascular therapies require a neurointerventionalist, an anesthetist or neurointensivist and in many cases even the acute onward referral of the patient to a specialized center.
Therefore, concepts are needed to minimize the time to treatment without putting patient safety at risk. Since acute stroke care is delivered by interdisciplinary teams, a standardized algorithm and simulation-based training of technical and nontechnical skills appear to be a straightforward approach. In this context, not only &#34;time is brain&#34; but also &#34;team is brain&#34;, since precious min and safety-relevant information can be lost by inefficient communication among team members. In nonmedical high-fidelity situations such as aviation, a concept called Crew Resource Management (CRM) has proven to be highly effective4.
A large share of fatal errors is not due to a lack of knowledge or technical skills, but to deficits in communication, interaction and decision-making. CRM emphasizes the importance of &#34;nontechnical skills&#34; and defines them as cognitive, social and personal resources that complement technical skills. The six key domains comprise clear communication, teamwork, situation awareness, decision-making, leadership and the management of stress5.
This concept has already been successfully implemented in professional cardiovascular life support6. A binding algorithm, a basic education in CRM for all Stroke Team members and regular simulation-based trainings for all new members of the high-fidelity Stroke Team offer ways to improve acute stroke care.
A dedicated Stroke Team of 7 persons who are notified by a collective call via speed dial and have precise tasks within a defined stroke algorithm was established to treat patients within the therapeutic time window. These are the 7 mandatory team members that are summoned to each stroke alarm:
1 resident in neurology from the Stroke Unit (SU) 
1 resident in neurology from the Emergency Department (ED) 
1 nurse from the ED 
1 laboratory technician 
1 resident specializing in neuroradiology 
1 radiology technician 
1 specialist in neurology (senior neurologist of the stroke unit)
Thus, a simulation-based Stroke Team training was conceived, which is conducted at monthly intervals for all new Stroke Team&#160;members and as a refresher for permanent staff. The simulation-based training transports the values of CRM and emphasizes the importance of nontechnical skills in an interdisciplinary multiprofessional team. To monitor the effects of this Stroke Team&#160;intervention consisting of the algorithm and the regular training, door-to-needle times, thrombolysis-associated complications, staff satisfaction and perceived safety in the emergency room (ER) are recorded continuously.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1228">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:209px;">Drug</td>
			<td style="width:363px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:523px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Alteplase (rtPA)</td>
			<td>Boehringer Ingelheim, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Licensed drug, which has proven effectiveness for acute ischemic stroke</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Urapidil 50 mg/10 ml</td>
			<td>Takeda Pharma, Berlin, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Licensed drug, antihypertensive</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Granisetron 3 mg/3 ml</td>
			<td>Hameln Pharma, Hameln, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Licensed drug, antiemetic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Lorazepam 2 mg/1 ml</td>
			<td>Pfizer, Berlin, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Licensed drug, sedative</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Iopromid 300 mg/ml</td>
			<td>Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Licensed drug, non-ionic contrast agent for computed tomography</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Device</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">S-Monovette citrate 3 ml</td>
			<td>Sarstedt, N&#252;rnbrecht, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>to collect blood for coagulation assays</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">S-Monovette EDTA 1.6 ml</td>
			<td>Sarstedt, N&#252;rnbrecht, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>to collect blood for hematology assays</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">S-Monovette lithium heparinate 7.5 ml</td>
			<td>Sarstedt, N&#252;rnbrecht, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>to collect blood for clinical chemistry assays</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">ACL Top 500&#160;</td>
			<td>Instrumentation Laboratory, Kirchheim, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Automated hemostasis analyzer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sysmex XE 2100</td>
			<td>Sysmex Corporation, Norderstedt, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Automated hematology analyzser</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Cobas 6000</td>
			<td>Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Automated clinical chemistry analyzser</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Resusci Anne Skillreporter</td>
			<td>Laerdal, Stavanger, Norway</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>remote-controlled manikin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Ingenuity 128</td>
			<td>Philips, Hamburg, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>CT-scanner</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">MEDRAD Stellant</td>
			<td>Bayer Radiology, Leverkusen Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Contrast agent delivery system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Universal 320 R</td>
			<td>Hettich, Tuttlingen, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Centrifuge</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Perfusor fm</td>
			<td>Braun, Melsungen, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Infusion pump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Infinity Gamma</td>
			<td>Dr&#228;ger, Hamburg, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Monitor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Ivena ehealth</td>
			<td>mainis IT-Service GmbH, Offenbach, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>online prenotification platform</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Braun ThermoScan PRO 4000</td>
			<td>Welch Allyn, Hechingen, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>ear thermometer</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

setting up a stroke team algorithm and conducting simulation-based training in the emergency department - a practical guide

Time is of the essence when caring for an acute stroke patient. The ultimate goal is to restore blood flow to the ischemic brain. This can be&#160;achieved by either&#160;thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA), the standard therapy for stroke patients who present within the first hours of symptom onset without contraindications, or by an endovascular approach, if a proximal brain vessel occlusion is detected. As the efficacy of both therapies declines over time, every minute saved along the way will improve the patient&#39;s outcome.
This critical situation requires thorough work and precise communication with the patient, the family and colleagues from different professions to acquire all relevant information and reach the right decision while carefully monitoring the patient. This is a high fidelity situation. In nonmedical high-fidelity environments such as aviation, Crew Resource Management (CRM) is used to enhance safety and team efficiency.
This guide shows how a Stroke Team algorithm, which is transferable to other hospital settings, was established and how regular simulation-based trainings were performed. It requires determination and endurance to maintain these time-consuming simulation trainings on a regular basis over the course of time. However, the resulting improvement of team spirit and excellent door-to-needle times will benefit both the patients and the work environment in any hospital.
A dedicated Stroke Team of 7 persons who are notified 24/7 by a collective call via speed dial and run a binding algorithm that takes approximately 20 min, was established. To train everybody involved in this algorithm, a simulation-based team training for all new Stroke Team members was conceived and conducted at monthly intervals. This led to a relevant and sustained reduction of the mean door-to-needle time to 25 min, and enhanced the feeling of stroke readiness especially in junior doctors and nurses.

Effect on the door-to-needle times and thrombolysis rate
The implementation of the Stroke Team algorithm in 2012 accompanied by regular simulation-based Stroke Team trainings led to a relevant increase in the patients treated with a door-to-needle time below 30 and 60 min and to an increase in our thrombolysis rate.
<img alt="Figure 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/55138/55138fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1:&#160;Stroke Team Algorithm of t...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide at JoVE.com

Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide

Every min counts in acute stroke care. This guide shows how to establish a Stroke Team algorithm and enhance its performance with regular simulation training. The principles of Crew Resource Management (CRM) facilitate a straight workflow, reduce door-to-needle times and increase staff satisfaction.

Time is of the essence when caring for an acute stroke patient. The ultimate goal is to restore blood flow to the ischemic brain. This can ...

In acute stroke care, faster treatment directly leads to better patient outcomes. This team based stroke algorithm helps to deliver thrombolysis as fast and safely as possible to rapidly evaluate patient eligibility for a thrombectomy. Since the effect of acute stroke therapies is highly time dependent, every minute counts.Therefore, strategies are needed to shorten the time to treatment without putting the patient's safety at risk. The combination of a team based algorithm and regular training with the entire interdisciplinary team shortened the time to treatment in our center. We developed this algorithm when we noted that a large share of fatal errors were not due to a lack of knowledge, but due to deficits in communication, interaction and decision making.Acute stroke is a high fidelity situation which requires dedicated teamwork. Clear communication, cooperation, decision making and management of stress. Our composite intervention focuses on the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork and it's easily transferrable to other hospital settings.Joining us in this demonstration will be Ana Lawa, a newer radiology resident, and Tanya Herzinger, a radiology technician. When the alarm is heard, the ED nurse goes directly to the computer to check the information on the incoming patient. Hypothetically, the system announces a male patient with a tentative diagnosis of a stroke within at least six hours, arriving soon by ambulance.When the paramedics enter the ED with a patient on a stretcher, they immediately report to the stroke nurse and SU resident. Next, the resident performs an initial check that includes the fast test. The resident then asks about the characteristics and evolution of the symptoms, in order to exclude very obvious stroke mimics, and exclude patients that present beyond a therapeutic time window.The nurse must now trigger the stroke team alert using a speed dial collective call, which simultaneously informs all members of the stroke team via their institutional mobile phones. When the stroke team members answer their phones, they get an automated message indicating that there is stroke within time window. Now, the ED resident, SU resident and senior neurologist, all meet at the ED.The laboratory technician should got to the laboratory and prepare to analyze the stroke patient's blood sample.And the radiology resident and technician should meet at the CT scanner. Next, the ED resident should take blood samples by using an adaptor or a butterfly cannula. Three milliliter citrate plasma sample is needed to determine the coagulation parameters, including the prothrombin time and international normalized ratio, the activated prothrombin time, and the thrombin time.If possible, the resident now informs the patient of the suspected acute stroke, and then collects information on symptom onset, symptom evaluation, prior disabilities, and current medication, with a focus on blood thinners, allergies, and any preexisting conditions. The resident must then perform a focused neurological exam, on the basis of the NIH stroke scale. Next, the senior neurologist reviews the case and decides on an imaging modality.CT scanning is a strong choice for patients with unequivocal stroke systems, and stroke onset that is clearly within the therapeutic time window, because of speed and easy access. Also, it allows select patients for mechanical recanalization. At the lab, the analyses are performed on an automated hemostasis analyzer, an automated hematology system, and an automated analyzer for clinical chemistry.This requires 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, bring the patient on the ambulance stretcher to the CT scanner. With the patient are the paramedics, the residents from the ED, the stroke unit residents and the senior neurologist.At the CT scanner, the team is joined by a neuroradiology resident and a radiology technician. The patient is then moved to the CT and connected to an infusion line to deliver the contrast agent. The paramedics are relieved.Meanwhile, the ED nurse arrives with a new stretcher, a thrombosis kit, monitoring equipment and portable oxygen. Now, the technician performs a cranial CT to exclude intercranial hemorrhage. The scanning is unenhanced with a slice thickness of five millimeters.Once taken, the scans are immediately reviewed by the neuroradiologist. Then, the senior neurologist decides if intravenous RTPA should be administered. If the patient confirm no use of blood thinners or other hemostasis issues, do not wait for the blood lab values and directly proceed with administering the RTPA bolus.Consulting a table of body mass to dose, the nurse prepares the RTPA bolus, then calls colleagues in the ED to prepare the remaining 90 percent of the dose. The stroke unit resident then administers the bolus of RTPA over one minute. Now, a CT angiography is performed to screen for LVO.Both the neuroradiologist and senior neurologist examine the stand. If LVO is present, the department of anesthesiology is immediately notified. After scanning, the stroke team takes the patient back to the ED, or directly to the angiography suite, in case of LVO.Around this time, the laboratory phones the stroke unit resident and discloses the coagulation data. When the patient is back at the ER or suite, the remaining 90 percent of the RTPA is set up to infuse over one hour. Then, the patient's blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation are put up on a monitor.Every 15 minutes, the patient's neurological function is assessed on the NIHSS. For a training session, first conduct an oral presentation covering the most frequent stroke symptoms in your hospital's acute stroke workflow. Then practice the stroke team algorithm on a mannequin while one of the stroke team trainers notes the procedural times and positive and negative elements of the performance.Following the simulation, have a feedback session with an active dialogue. Start the discussion with the door to needle time recorded during the training session. Then conduct three rounds of feedback, including every team member in each round.The implementation of the stroke team algorithm in 2012, accompanied by regular simulation based stroke team trainings, led to a relevant increase in the patients treated with a door to needle time below 30 minutes and an increase in thrombolysis rate. The course was evaluated by questionnaires. 16 physicians, 11 ED nurses and radiology technicians, and 18 medical students responded.Regarding their ability to safely treat acute stroke patients, the participants reported significantly greater confidence after the course. A binding stroke team algorithm and regular simulation based stroke team trainings can lead to a long term reduction of the door to needle time. This is the key benchmark process time for acute stroke treatment.This algorithm starts at the doorstep of the hospital and is easily transferrable to other hospitals without specific infrastructural prerequisites. It emphasizes the role of teamwork and is straightened to teach non technical skills. Recognizing errors early, communicating them and correcting them have a tremendous effect on patient safety.Therefore, it is important to create a sense of shared responsibility and a flat hierarchical structure to allow open communication. Bring this to practice during simulator based team training sessions. In non medical high fidelity situations such as aviation, concept called crew resource management, CRM, has proven to be highly effective.CRM emphasizes the importance of non technical skills, such as clear communication, teamwork, situation awareness, decision making, leadership, and the management of stress. As similar concepts have already been successfully implemented in cardiovascular life support, anesthesiology or surgery, we believe that a basic education in CRM and regular simulation based trainings offer ways to improve acute stroke care in high fidelity situations.

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Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department

Carbon dioxide (CO2) along with oxygen (O2) share the role of being the most important gases in the human body. The measuring of expired CO2 at the mouth has solicited growing clinical interest among physicians in the emergency department for various indications: (1) surveillance et monitoring of the intubated patient; (2) verification of the correct positioning of an endotracheal tube; (3) monitoring of a patient in cardiac arrest; (4) achieving normocapnia in intubated head trauma patients; (5) monitoring ventilation during procedural sedation. The video allows physicians to familiarize themselves with the use of capnography and the text offers a review of the theory and principals involved. In particular, the importance of CO2 for the organism, the relevance of measuring expired CO2, the differences between arterial and expired CO2, the material used in capnography with their artifacts and traps, will be reviewed. Since the main reluctance in the use of expired CO2 measurement is due to lack of correct knowledge concerning the physiopathology of CO2 by the physician, we hope that this explanation and the video sequences accompanying will help resolve this limitation.

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department

This video describes how to perform CO2 measurement in intubated as well as spontaneously breathing patients. The main clinical indications refer to emergency situations: (1) verifying adequate positioning of an endotracheal tube; (2) achieving normocapnia in trauma patients; (3) monitoring ventilation in the case of procedural sedation.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) along with oxygen (O2) share the role of being the most important gases in the human body. The measuring of expired CO2 at the mouth ...

Excitotoxic Stimulation of Brain Microslices as an In vitro Model of Stroke

Examining molecular mechanisms involved in neuropathological conditions, such as ischemic stroke, can be difficult when using whole animal systems. As such, primary or &#39;neuronal-like&#39; cell culture systems are commonly utilized. While&#160;these systems are relatively easy to work with, and are useful model systems in which various functional outcomes (such as cell death) can be readily quantified, the examined outcomes and pathways in cultured immature neurons (such as excitotoxicity-mediated cell death pathways) are not necessarily the same as those observed in mature brain, or in intact tissue. Therefore, there is the need to develop models in which cellular mechanisms in mature neural tissue can be examined. We have developed an in vitro technique that can be used to investigate a variety of molecular pathways in intact nervous tissue. The technique described herein utilizes rat cortical tissue, but this technique can be adapted to use tissue from a variety of species (such as mouse, rabbit, guinea pig, and chicken) or brain regions (for example, hippocampus, striatum, etc.). Additionally, a variety of stimulations/treatments can be used (for example, excitotoxic, administration of inhibitors, etc.). In conclusion, the brain slice model described herein can be used to examine a variety of molecular mechanisms involved in excitotoxicity-mediated brain injury.

Excitotoxic Stimulation of Brain Microslices as an In vitro Model of Stroke

We have developed a brain slice model which can be used to examine molecular mechanisms involved in excitotoxicity-mediated brain injury.&#160;This technique generates viable mature brain tissue and reduces animal numbers required for experimentation, whilst keeping the neuronal circuitry, cellular interactions, and postsynaptic compartments partly intact.

Examining molecular mechanisms involved in neuropathological conditions, such as ischemic stroke, can be difficult when using whole animal systems. As ...

Isolation and Excision of Murine Aorta; A Versatile Technique in the Study of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term describing disease of the heart and/or blood vessels. The main blood vessel supplying the body with oxygenated blood is the aorta. The aorta may become affected in diseases such as atherosclerosis and aneurysm. Researchers investigating these diseases would benefit from direct observation of the aorta to characterize disease progression as well as to evaluate efficacy of potential therapeutics. The goal of this protocol is to describe proper isolation and excision of the aorta to aid investigators researching cardiovascular disease. Isolation and excision of the aorta allows investigators to look at gross morphometric changes as wells as allowing them to preserve and stain the tissue to look at histologic changes if desired. The aorta may be used for molecular studies to evaluate protein and gene expression to discover targets of interest and mechanisms of action. This technique is superior to imaging modalities as they have inherent limitations in technology and cost. Additionally, primary isolated cells from a freshly isolated and excised aorta can allowing researchers to perform further in situ and in vitro assays. The isolation and excision of the aorta has the limitation of having to sacrifice the animal however, in this case the benefits outweigh the harm as it is the most versatile technique in the study of aortic disease.

Pathology of the aorta can lead to severe morbidity and mortality, therefore research of disease progression and potential therapies is warranted. Here, we present a protocol to isolate and excise the murine aorta to aid researchers in their investigation of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term describing disease of the heart and/or blood vessels. The main blood vessel supplying the body with oxygenated ...

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings

The available routes of administration commonly used for medications and fluids in the acute care setting are generally limited to oral, intravenous, or intraosseous routes, but in many patients, particularly in the emergency or critical care settings, these routes are often unavailable or time-consuming to access. A novel device is now available that offers an easy route for administration of medications or fluids via rectal mucosal absorption (also referred to as proctoclysis in the case of fluid administration and subsequent absorption). Although originally intended for the palliative care market, the utility of this device in the emergency setting has recently been described. Specifically, reports of patients being treated for dehydration, alcohol withdrawal, vomiting, fever, myocardial infarction, hyperthyroidism, and cardiac arrest have shown success with administration of a wide variety of medications or fluids (including water, aspirin, lorazepam, ondansetron, acetaminophen, methimazole, and buspirone). Device placement is straightforward, and based on the observation of expected effects from the medication administrations, absorption is rapid. The rapidity of absorption kinetics are further demonstrated in a recent report of the measurement of phenobarbital pharmacokinetics. We describe here the placement and use of this device, and demonstrate methods of pharmacokinetic measurements of medications administered by this method.

This study presents a novel device that offers an easy route to quickly provide medications and fluids in patients with limited or difficult IV access. This small-diameter device is placed in the distal third of the rectum, allowing for ongoing medication and fluids administration.

The available routes of administration commonly used for medications and fluids in the acute care setting are generally limited to oral, intravenous, or ...

Emergency Undocking in Robotic Surgery: A Simulation Curriculum

The following is a training platform to allow robotic surgeons to develop the skills necessary to lead an interprofessional team in emergency undocking of a robotic system. In traditional robotic training for surgeons, a brief web based overview of performing an emergency undocking is provided during initial introductory training to the robotics system. During such a process, there is no training in delineation of interdisciplinary roles for operating room (OR) personnel. The training presented here uses formative simulation and debriefing followed by a lecture. For the simulation, a modified gynecologic simulator is draped in a steep trendelenburg position consistent with most gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. The training torso is modified using tubing hooked to pressure bags of red food colored IV fluid used to simulate a catastrophic vessel injury on demand. Positioned throughout the operating room setting is an interprofessional team consisting of embedded standardized persons (ESPs) to fulfill the roles of a circulating nurse, scrub nurse, anesthesiologist, and bedside assist surgeon. Robotic surgeons are presented a case scenario necessitating emergency undocking, and given control of the robotic instruments. The scenario is terminated following either successful completion of an emergency undock, or at five minutes due to the emergent nature of the case. A debriefing session with hands on training of the steps to emergency undocking, necessary equipment, troubleshooting techniques, and operating room personnel roles follows the simulation. The learners are presented with a short lecture reemphasizing the material presented in the debriefing for their own self-study. This training results in improved time accessing the patient, improved knowledge, confidence, and completion of critical actions, and can be replicated in most institutions. All robotic surgeons should be able to demonstrate competence in this crucial intervention. A limitation of the curriculum is ability to access the in-situ environment for training purposes.

This training platform is designed to allow robotic surgeons to develop the skills necessary to lead an interprofessional team in emergency undocking of the robotic system. Training includes the utilization of the technology and equipment to perform an emergency undocking, as well as delineation of roles for such a scenario.

The following is a training platform to allow robotic surgeons to develop the skills necessary to lead an interprofessional team in emergency undocking of ...

Setup and Execution Of the Blindfolded Code Training Exercise

Miscommunication is the most common cause of preventable patient harm in medicine. Currently, there is limited knowledge of innovative techniques to improve resident physician communication and leadership strategies in high-acuity situations. The blindfolded code training exercise removes visual stimuli from the team leader, forcing the team leader to effectively utilize closed-loop communication. The simple act of blindfolding the team leader creates a learning environment where the leader must utilize a conceptual framework and critical thinking strategies to organize the team and manage the resuscitation. An advantage to this teaching technique is that it does not require any special simulation equipment, making it a low-cost approach. The blindfolded code training exercise can be applied to the management of any critically ill patient where the primary objective is to focus on developing communication skills in acute resuscitations. The purpose of the description of the blindfolded code training exercise is to provide guidance on how to perform this innovative teaching technique to force effective closed-loop communication.

The blindfolded code training exercise, which blindfolds the team leader in a code resuscitation simulation, is an advanced teaching technique to improve closed-loop communication, organizational skills, and critical thinking.&#160;

Miscommunication is the most common cause of preventable patient harm in medicine. Currently, there is limited knowledge of innovative techniques to ...

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function

Approximately 40% of patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography for investigation of angina are found to have no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA). Abnormal coronary function underlies coronary vasomotion syndromes including coronary endothelial dysfunction, microvascular angina, vasospastic angina, post-PCI angina and myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). Each of these endotypes are distinct subgroups, characterized by specific disease mechanisms. Diagnostic criteria and linked therapy for these conditions are now established by expert consensus and clinical guidelines.
Coronary function tests are performed as an adjunctive interventional diagnostic procedure (IDP) in appropriately selected patients during coronary angiography. This aids differentiation of patients according to endotype. The IDP includes two distinct components: a diagnostic guidewire test and a pharmacological coronary reactivity test. The tests last approximately 5 minutes for the former and 10-15 minutes for the latter. Patient safety and staff education are key.
The diagnostic guidewire test measures parameters of coronary flow limitation (fractional flow reserve [FFR], coronary flow reserve [CFR], microvascular resistance [index of microvascular resistance (IMR)], basal resistance index, and vasodilator function [CFR, resistive reserve ratio (RRR)]).
The pharmacological coronary reactivity test measures the vasodilator potential and propensity to vasospasm of both the main coronary arteries and the micro-vessels. It involves intra-coronary infusion of acetylcholine and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). Acetylcholine is not licensed for parenteral use and is therefore prescribed on a named-patient basis. Vasodilatation is the normal, expected response to infusion of physiological concentrations of acetylcholine. Vascular spasm represents an abnormal response, which supports the diagnosis of vasospastic angina.
The purpose of this practical guide is to provide information on the preparation and administration of the IDP in clinical practice. It discusses some key preparation and safety considerations, as well as tips for procedural success. The IDP supports stratified medicine for a personalized approach to health and wellbeing.

The purpose of this practical guide is to provide information on the preparation and administration of an interventional diagnostic procedure in clinical practice. It discusses some key preparation and safety considerations, as well as tips for procedural success.

Approximately 40% of patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography for investigation of angina are found to have no obstructive coronary artery ...

Conducting Respiratory Oscillometry in an Outpatient Setting

Respiratory oscillometry is a different modality of pulmonary function testing that is increasingly used in a clinical and research setting to provide information regarding lung mechanics. Respiratory oscillometry is conducted through three acceptable measurements of tidal breathing and can be performed with minimal contraindications. Young children and patients who cannot perform spirometry due to cognitive or physical impairment can usually complete oscillometry. The main advantages of respiratory oscillometry are that it requires minimal patient cooperation and is more sensitive in detecting changes in small airways than conventional pulmonary function tests. Commercial devices are now available. Updated technical guidelines, standard operating protocols, and quality control/assurance guidelines have recently been published. Reference values are also available. 
We conducted oscillometry test audits before and after implementing a formal respiratory oscillometry training program and standard operating protocol. We observed improvement in the quality of tests completed, with a significant increase in the number of acceptable and reproducible measurements. 
The current paper outlines and demonstrates a standard operating protocol to conduct respiratory oscillometry in an outpatient setting. We highlight the key steps to ensuring acceptable and reproducible quality measurements according to the recommended European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines, as quality control is critical to measurement accuracies. Potential problems and pitfalls are also discussed with suggestions to resolve technical errors.

We demonstrate a standard operating protocol to conduct respiratory oscillometry, highlighting key quality control and assurance procedures.

Respiratory oscillometry is a different modality of pulmonary function testing that is increasingly used in a clinical and research setting to provide ...

A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has emerged as an interesting time-efficient approach to increase exercise adherence and improve health. However, few studies have tested the efficiency of HIIT protocols in a &#34;real world&#34; setting, e.g., HIIT protocols designed for outdoor spaces without specialized equipment. This study presents a &#34;real world&#34; training protocol, named &#34;beep training&#34;, and compares the efficiency of a HIIT regiment versus a traditional long-duration Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) regiment using this beep training protocol on VO2 max of overweight untrained men. Twenty-two subjects performed outdoor running with MICT (n = 11) or HIIT (n = 11). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed before and after training protocols using a metabolic analyzer. Both training protocols were performed 3 days a week for 8 weeks using the Beep Test results. The MICT group performed the exercise program at 60%-75% of the maximum speed of the 20 m shuttle test (Vmax) and with a progression of the distance of 3,500-5,000 m. The HIIT group performed the interval exercise with 7-10 bouts of 200 m at 85%-100% of the maximum speed of the 20 m shuttle test (Vmax), interspersed with 1 min of passive recovery. Although the HIIT group presented a significantly lower training volume than the MICT group (p &#60; 0.05) after 8 weeks of beep training, HIIT was superior to MICT in improving VO2 max (MICT: ~4.1%; HIIT: ~7.3%; p &#60; 0.05). The &#34;real world&#34; HIIT regiment based on beep training protocol is a time-efficient, low-cost, and easy-to-implement protocol for overweight untrained men.

This study presents a low-cost and easy-to-implement "real world" high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol for scientific research and discusses its efficiency for cardiorespiratory fitness.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has emerged as an interesting time-efficient approach to increase exercise adherence and improve health. However, ...

Real-Time Monitoring and Modulation of Blood Pressure in a Rabbit Model of Ischemic Stroke

Control of blood pressure, in terms of both absolute values and its variability, affects outcomes in ischemic stroke patients. However, it remains challenging to identify the mechanisms that lead to poor outcomes or evaluate measures by which these effects can be mitigated because of the prohibitive limitations inherent to human data. In such cases, animal models can be utilized to conduct rigorous and reproducible evaluations of diseases. Here we report refinement of a previously described model of ischemic stroke in rabbits that is augmented with continuous blood pressure recording to assess the impacts of modulation on blood pressure. Under general anesthesia, femoral arteries are exposed through surgical cutdowns to place arterial sheaths bilaterally. Under fluoroscopic visualization and roadmap guidance, a microcatheter is advanced into an artery of the posterior circulation of the brain. An angiogram is performed by injecting the contralateral vertebral artery to confirm occlusion of the target artery. With the occlusive catheter remaining in position for a fixed duration, blood pressure is continuously recorded to allow for tight titration of blood pressure manipulations, whether through mechanical or pharmacological means. At the completion of the occlusion interval, the microcatheter is removed, and the animal is maintained under general anesthesia for a prescribed length of reperfusion. For acute studies, the animal is then euthanized and decapitated. The brain is harvested and processed to measure the infarct volume under light microscopy and further assessed with various histopathological stains or spatial transcriptomic analysis. This protocol provides a reproducible model that can be utilized for more thorough preclinical studies on the effects of blood pressure parameters during ischemic stroke. It also facilitates effective preclinical evaluation of novel neuroprotective interventions that might improve care for ischemic stroke patients.

Continuous arterial blood pressure recording allows the investigation of impacts of various hemodynamic parameters. This report demonstrates the application of continuous arterial blood pressure monitoring in a large animal model of ischemic stroke for determination of stroke pathophysiology, impact of different hemodynamic factors, and the assessment of novel treatment approaches.