Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Acute Stroke Care, Time Metrics, Outcomes, and Racial Disparities in a Southeast Michigan Health System

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2021.105746
• Publication Date: 2021-03-27T01:50:23Z
• Authors: Hassan Aboul Nour; Muhammad Affan; Ghada Mohamed; Ali Mohamud; Lonni Schultz; Katie Latack; Megan Brady; Dawn Scozzari; Yazeed Haddad; Angelos Katramados; Alex Bou Chebl; Ahmad Riad Ramadan
• Keywords: Stroke; Pandemic; Acute stroke; Demographics

COVID-19 has impacted acute stroke care with several reports showing worldwide drops in caseload during the pandemic. We studied impact of on our health system serving Southeast Michigan as we rolled out a policy to limit admissions and transfers.in this retrospective study conducted at two centers, included consecutive patients presenting ED for whom alert was activated period extending from 3/20/20 5/20/20 similar 2019. compared demographics, time metrics, discharge outcomes between groups.of 385 presented periods, 58% were African American. There significant decrease number admitted hospital periods (p <0.001). In 2020, had higher NIHSS (median: 2 vs 5, p = 0.012), 3, 0.004), longer times LKW arrival (4.8 9.4 h, 0.031) team activation 10 15 min, 0.006). mimics rates lower among Americans. fewer hospitalizations <0.001), transfers outside facilities 0.015).a trend toward faster observed pandemic along dramatically reduced numbers visits, mimics. Delayed presentations severity characterized American population, highlighting deepening racial disparities