Document Type
Poster
Unit
Emergency Room
Site
North Shore University Hospital
Date
11-12-2025
Start Date
12-11-2025 10:00 AM
Abstract
North Shore University Hospital, a highly accredited stroke center, initiated a quality improvement project to reduce Door-to-CT and Door-to-Needle times for acute stroke patients arriving in the Emergency Department. Recognizing a need for improved efficiency and accountability, the team installed visual timers in ED CT scan rooms, activated during "Code Stroke" to serve as a real-time guide for the multidisciplinary team. This low-cost intervention, supported by staff education and daily compliance tracking, led to significant improvements from Q1 to Q2 2025: Door-to-MD decreased from 7 to 5 minutes, Door-to-Brain Image initiated from 25 to 20 minutes, and median Door-to-Needle time improved from 43.5 to 35 minutes, alongside increased documentation compliance. The project demonstrates how a simple visual aid can enhance communication, situational awareness, and ultimately optimize time-critical stroke care.
Improving Door Times During a Code Stroke in the Emergency Department
North Shore University Hospital, a highly accredited stroke center, initiated a quality improvement project to reduce Door-to-CT and Door-to-Needle times for acute stroke patients arriving in the Emergency Department. Recognizing a need for improved efficiency and accountability, the team installed visual timers in ED CT scan rooms, activated during "Code Stroke" to serve as a real-time guide for the multidisciplinary team. This low-cost intervention, supported by staff education and daily compliance tracking, led to significant improvements from Q1 to Q2 2025: Door-to-MD decreased from 7 to 5 minutes, Door-to-Brain Image initiated from 25 to 20 minutes, and median Door-to-Needle time improved from 43.5 to 35 minutes, alongside increased documentation compliance. The project demonstrates how a simple visual aid can enhance communication, situational awareness, and ultimately optimize time-critical stroke care.