The impact of the pandemic on the in – hospital stroke quality indicators based on the RES-Q Register

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has influenced not only global morbidity statistics, but also healthcare ones in relation to other diseases, including stroke. The aim of the study was to analyse the in-hospital quality indicators in patients with acute stroke during the pandemic based on the data of the RES-Q (Registry of Stroke Care Quality). Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive acute stroke patients from the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of the Republic of Moldova was performed. The data collection included 1 month (March) comparative analysis in 2019 and 2020 of online registration, processed by the Statistic Department of the RES-Q platform. Results: The study included 133 patients: 70 – from 2019 and 63 – from 2020, the mean age 68 ± 2 years, the mean NIHSS – 9 p. In 2020 there were more hospitalized women (57% vs 45%), more patients with haemorrhagic stroke (31% vs 25%), those needed treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (41% vs 33%) and put on ventilator (29% vs 13%), and increased number of deceased (26% vs 20%). The number of brain CT imaging (99% vs 98%) and thrombolysis performed (3% vs 4%) did not show major differences. Conclusions: The quality of the in-hospital stroke care was not dramatically affected by the pandemic. The delay in seeking medical care increased the number of patients requiring ICU placement and resulted in a higher number of deaths.