New ED Stroke Launchpad Boosts Efficiency in Diagnosis and Treatment

An Innovative Approach to Stroke Care at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

In their continued efforts for improvement of patient treatment and care, the Emergency Department (ED) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has innovatively increased efficiency in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients. Launched in July 2023, the department established a designated treatment zone known as a Stroke Launchpad.

How the Stroke Launchpad Works

The Stroke Launchpad is situated within the UAB Hospital Emergency Department. In this specially allocated area, a team of specialists comes together to consider the most effective treatment options for stroke patients. These options usually involve either the administration of a clot-dissolving medication known as Tenecteplase, or catheter-based treatments such as thrombectomy, aspiration, and stenting. Being a central place, it greatly enhances team coordination enabling health providers to offer the greatest possible care to incoming patients in the least time.

Proximity Equals Efficiency

Kevin S. Barlotta, M.D., the director of Quality and Patient Safety for UAB’s Department of Emergency Medicine, stated that the ED Stroke Launchpad has dramatically improved DTN (Door-To-Needle Time) – the crucial window of time within which a stroke patient should ideally receive treatment. Barlotta emphasized that the launchpad has greatly streamlined the process for patients, by placing them in a designated area within the ED that is close to the CT scanner. This has played a pivotal role in improving efficiency and diagnostic accuracy.

Teamwork Is Key

The launchpad has proved beneficial for the stroke care team at UAB. Since all professionals such as neurology teams, ED teams, pharmacy, the CT team, and STAT nurses kind converge in the centralized area alongside the CT scanner, it has enhanced teamwork and increased efficiency in administering care for stroke patients. The combined effort of the team and having all necessary facilities in the close proximity, patients not only receive diagnosis but also treatment options like a clot-removing procedure can be determined promptly.

Notable Success Despite Challenges

The success of the launchpad is even more significant given the high volume of stroke patients that UAB sees. In spite of dealing with heavy patient loads, Barlotta is confident that the stroke launchpad has profoundly enhanced teamwork, promoted ED collaboration with specialists, and elevated the level of stroke care they provide. This growth proves to be a remarkable achievement for the health care industry, ultimately providing more enhanced and efficient care for stroke patients.