Improving Door to Groin Puncture Time for Mechanical Thrombectomy via Iterative Quality Protocol Interventions.

Introduction: Delays in door to groin puncture time (DGPT) for patients with ischemic stroke caused by acute large vessel occlusions (LVO) are associated with worse clinical outcomes. We present the results of a quality improvement protocol for endovascular stroke treatment at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) that aimed to minimize DGPT.

Materials And Methods: Our stroke team implemented a series of quality improvement measures to decrease DGPT, with a target of 90 minutes or less.

Results of the ICTuS 2 Trial (Intravascular Cooling in the Treatment of Stroke 2).

Background And Purpose: Therapeutic hypothermia is a potent neuroprotectant approved for cerebral protection after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia and cardiac arrest. Therapeutic hypothermia for acute ischemic stroke is safe and feasible in pilot trials. We designed a study protocol to provide safer, faster therapeutic hypothermia in stroke patients.

Evaluating needleless products.

New product evaluation can be a time-consuming, frustrating process in any institution. Knowing the right steps to complete in the right order can lead to successful implementation of new technologies that improve patient care. Needleless technology is used as an example to outline the process of evaluating and implementing a new product.

Designing and implementing a comprehensive quality assurance program for bedside glucose testing.

A program for bedside glucose testing has been successfully implemented and in operation at Sharp Memorial Hospital since October 1990. The nursing staff training and certification process focuses on gaining an understanding of the issues and skills needed to routinely perform the tests to laboratory quality standards. Routine quality control checks are performed to ensure the accuracy and precision of the glucose values obtained on patients, thus maintaining quality in the process.