Retrospective study compares care disparities between in-hospital and community-onset strokes, highlighting significant delays in imaging and admission.
Key Points
The aim was to investigate discrepancies in acute care and outcomes between in-hospital strokes and community-onset strokes in a UK hospital.
Retrospective analysis of stroke patients treated at a UK General Hospital from October 2024 to September 2025.
Examined times for imaging, thrombolysis rates, and admission to stroke units based on UK National Guidelines.
Compared patient outcomes between in-hospital strokes and community-onset strokes.
CT imaging for in-hospital strokes took longer than for community-onset strokes (3 hours 13 minutes vs 2 hours 2 minutes, p<0.0012).
Proportion of in-hospital stroke patients meeting time standards for CT imaging (37% vs 56%, p<0.001) and those receiving imaging within 20 minutes (7.4% vs 27.4%, p<0.001) was lower.
Zero in-hospital strokes were admitted to the stroke unit within 4 hours versus 41.9% of community-onset strokes (p<1x10-10, 95% CI -49.1 to -35.0).