Table 4:

Care of patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack, from Apr. 1, 2002, to Mar. 31, 2009

Variable% of patients*p value†
2002/032004/052008/09
Sample‡n = 3 322n = 4 913n = 3 931
Applicable population‡n = 25 392n = 23 800n = 22 593
Neuroimaging§ performed778293< 0.001
 Nondesignated centre737789< 0.001
 District stroke centre788496< 0.001
 Regional stroke centre889698< 0.001
Thrombolytic therapy (if ischemic stroke and presentation within 2.5 h of stroke onset)101427< 0.001
 Nondesignated centre2440.33
 District stroke centre121332< 0.001
 Regional stroke centre303642< 0.05
Carotid imaging performed (if ischemic stroke or TIA)445568< 0.001
 Nondesignated centre434962< 0.001
 District stroke centre496167< 0.001
 Regional stroke centre517081< 0.001
Antithrombotic therapy** (if ischemic stroke or TIA)809294< 0.001
 Nondesignated centre789292< 0.001
 District stroke centre829294< 0.001
 Regional stroke centre879496< 0.001
Admission to a stroke unit (among those admitted to hospital)31124< 0.001
 Nondesignated centre324< 0.001
 District stroke centre2733< 0.001
 Regional stroke centre44152< 0.001
Dysphagia screening (among those admitted to hospital)475157< 0.001
 Nondesignated centre444852< 0.001
 District stroke centre455463< 0.001
 Regional stroke centre545661< 0.001
All of neuroimaging, carotid imaging, care at a stroke unit, dysphagia screening (among those admitted to hospital)< 0.001
 Nondesignated centre214< 0.001
 District stroke centre1626< 0.001
 Regional stroke centre23247< 0.001
Referral to a secondary prevention clinic142957< 0.001
 Nondesignated centre72149< 0.001
 District stroke centre172764< 0.001
 Regional stroke centre406777< 0.001

  • Note: TIA = transient ischemic attack.

  • ↵* Unless stated otherwise.

  • ↵† Based on tests for trends over time using a survey logistic regression model.

  • ↵‡ To account for oversampling at small-volume institutions, results are weighted based on hospital volume and the number of charts sampled. By using weights in the analyses, an estimate that applies to the entire population was obtained.

  • ↵§ Includes computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.

  • ↵ Includes carotid Doppler ultrasonography, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography and catheter angiography.

  • ↵** Includes acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel, dipyridamole and warfarin.