Page 12 - 2017 Nursing Annual Report | Summa Health

Structural Empowerment

Education and
collaboration help
improve door-to-drug
treatment times — and
stroke outcomes

Stroke once ranked fourth as the leading cause of death in the United States; today, it’s
dropped to fifth. According to the American Stroke Association, the improved survival
rate is due largely to advancements in medical treatment. The right care – right away –
is saving lives and reducing the long-term effects of stroke.

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the only FDA- Summa Health System –
approved drug treatment for ischemic strokes, the most Barberton Campus
common stroke type. It dissolves the clot and improves 7 IV tPA Administrations 2017
blood flow to the part of the brain being deprived.
While tPA can be used up to 4.5 hours after start of 101000
stroke symptoms, shorter onset-to-treatment times are
associated with improved functional outcomes, lower 100%
complication rates and, in some studies, lower mortality.
8800
In 2017, the Summa Barberton Emergency Department
(ED) reported that 100 percent of its administered tPAs 6600
were given in less than 60 minutes, the recommended
national guideline. More than 50 percent, in fact, were 57%
given in less than 45 minutes.
4400
These impressive “door-to-drug” treatment times
are a result of a strong collaboration between the 2200
professional stroke response teams at both the
Summa Barberton and Akron Campuses. The high- 00 < 60 MIN < 45 MIN
performing multi-disciplinary teams consist of medical
professionals including ED nurses, physicians, stroke
neurologists and pharmacists.

12 Summa Health