Reduction of Prehospital Delays in Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) — BASS  

Stroke Clinical Trial

Official title: Population-Based Intervention to Reduce Prehospital Delays in Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

In patients with acute stroke, systemic thrombolysis needs to be administered within three hours of symptom onset. The aim of the present study was to reduce prehospital delays in a population-based intervention.The intervention consisted of an educational letter indicating stroke symptoms and emphasizing the importance of calling the emergency medical services (EMS). The investigators additionally included a bookmark and sticker with the EMS telephone number. A total of 75,720 inhabitants received the intervention. Between 2004 and 2005, 741 patients with cerebrovascular events were admitted from the control areas (n=24) and 647 from the intervention areas (n=24).

Clinical Trial Description

Background and Purpose:

In patients with acute stroke, systemic thrombolysis needs to be administered within three hours of symptom onset. The aim of the present study was to reduce prehospital delays in a population-based intervention.

Methods:

We performed a cluster-randomized trial with 48 zip code areas as cluster units in the catchment area of three inner-city hospitals in Berlin. The primary endpoint was time between symptom onset and hospital admission. The intervention consisted of an educational letter indicating stroke symptoms and emphasizing the importance of calling the emergency medical services (EMS). We additionally included a bookmark and sticker with the EMS telephone number. We fitted a lognormal survival regression model (time-to-admission) with frailty terms shared by inhabitants of the same zip code area. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Health Services Research

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Ischemic Attack, Transient
• Stroke

• NCT number: NCT00744029
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Charite University, Berlin, Germany
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 2004
• Completion date: June 2007