Variable | % of patients* | p value† | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2002/03 | 2004/05 | 2008/09 | ||
Sample‡ | n = 3 322 | n = 4 913 | n = 3 931 | |
Applicable population‡ | n = 25 392 | n = 23 800 | n = 22 593 | |
Neuroimaging§ performed | 77 | 82 | 93 | < 0.001 |
Nondesignated centre | 73 | 77 | 89 | < 0.001 |
District stroke centre | 78 | 84 | 96 | < 0.001 |
Regional stroke centre | 88 | 96 | 98 | < 0.001 |
Thrombolytic therapy (if ischemic stroke and presentation within 2.5 h of stroke onset) | 10 | 14 | 27 | < 0.001 |
Nondesignated centre | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0.33 |
District stroke centre | 12 | 13 | 32 | < 0.001 |
Regional stroke centre | 30 | 36 | 42 | < 0.05 |
Carotid imaging¶ performed (if ischemic stroke or TIA) | 44 | 55 | 68 | < 0.001 |
Nondesignated centre | 43 | 49 | 62 | < 0.001 |
District stroke centre | 49 | 61 | 67 | < 0.001 |
Regional stroke centre | 51 | 70 | 81 | < 0.001 |
Antithrombotic therapy** (if ischemic stroke or TIA) | 80 | 92 | 94 | < 0.001 |
Nondesignated centre | 78 | 92 | 92 | < 0.001 |
District stroke centre | 82 | 92 | 94 | < 0.001 |
Regional stroke centre | 87 | 94 | 96 | < 0.001 |
Admission to a stroke unit (among those admitted to hospital) | 3 | 11 | 24 | < 0.001 |
Nondesignated centre | 3 | 2 | 4 | < 0.001 |
District stroke centre | 2 | 7 | 33 | < 0.001 |
Regional stroke centre | 4 | 41 | 52 | < 0.001 |
Dysphagia screening (among those admitted to hospital) | 47 | 51 | 57 | < 0.001 |
Nondesignated centre | 44 | 48 | 52 | < 0.001 |
District stroke centre | 45 | 54 | 63 | < 0.001 |
Regional stroke centre | 54 | 56 | 61 | < 0.001 |
All of neuroimaging, carotid imaging, care at a stroke unit, dysphagia screening (among those admitted to hospital) | < 0.001 | |||
Nondesignated centre | 2 | 1 | 4 | < 0.001 |
District stroke centre | 1 | 6 | 26 | < 0.001 |
Regional stroke centre | 2 | 32 | 47 | < 0.001 |
Referral to a secondary prevention clinic | 14 | 29 | 57 | < 0.001 |
Nondesignated centre | 7 | 21 | 49 | < 0.001 |
District stroke centre | 17 | 27 | 64 | < 0.001 |
Regional stroke centre | 40 | 67 | 77 | < 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.