Five year results of a stroke care network in Appalachia (P5.145)

OBJECTIVE: A stroke care network can influence care and prevention in multiple ways BACKGROUND: Appalachian stroke hospitalization and death rates are significantly above the national average. Medical providers and healthcare facilities in the region treat an underserved population with limited resources. In 2008, the University of Kentucky Stroke Network was created based on guidelines for evidence-based stroke systems of care of the American Heart and Stroke Association and other bodies. DESIGN/METHODS: Initial network efforts focused on education of providers, relationships, best practices, and community stroke screenings. As key partnerships developed, the network expanded geographically and in content. Over time, the network evolved to adopt value-based principles of improving quality, access, and costs of stroke care. RESULTS: Over five years the network grew to 24 hospitals in two states with 5 Primary Stroke Centers and 1 Comprehensive Stroke Center. Kentucky network hospitals controlled 5450 stroke discharges in 2013, or 32[percnt] of stroke discharges statewide. The network spans 400 miles, from Summers County, WV to Bowling Green, KY. The network has provided 771 hours of didactic instruction to date. The network has held numerous community stroke awareness events with 13,056 individuals screened for stroke risk. Through a school-based program, 2733 children have been taught about stroke recognition and healthy lifestyles. Quality of care data are collected quarterly network-wide in the following areas: volumes, length of stay, mortality, IV-tpa administration, testing times, and core measure adherence. A registry using existing electronic health record information exists at the central hub. CONCLUSIONS: The stroke network has successfully grown to influence stroke care and prevention across Kentucky and beyond. Next steps include implementation of the registry across the network, reporting of quality of care data across the network, and using the stroke care network as a model for other outreach programs at the university. Disclosure: Dr. Dobbs has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rose has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bellamy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Edwards has nothing to disclose.