The Australian Stroke Coalition is pleased to announce, for the fifth year, the winners of its National Quality Stroke Service Awards. These national awards have been established by the Australian Stroke Coalition to recognise high performing hospitals. This year the awards have been based on data submitted to the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (AuSCR) and the Stroke Foundation National Acute Services Audit. In 2023, there are two award categories based on:
- the provision of eight quality of stroke care metrics (in line with National Stroke Guidelines and national Acute Stroke Clinical Care Standards)
- the provision of timely reperfusion treatments.
Category 1: Provision of eight quality of stroke care metrics
This was awarded based on a composite score, derived from the following variables submitted to the AuSCR or Stroke Foundation National Acute Services Audit (1st July 2022 to 31st December 2022):
- Provision of stroke unit care.
- Ischaemic strokes treated with thrombolysis (tPA) OR endovascular clot retrieval (ECR, if offered by hospital).
- Ischaemic strokes treated with thrombolysis within 60 mins of hospital arrival.
- Ischaemic strokes treated with endovascular clot retrieval within 90 minutes of hospital arrival.
- Provision of antihypertensive medication on discharge*
- Provision of antithrombotic medication on discharge*#
- Provision of lipid-lowering medication on discharge*#
- Provision of a discharge care plan, if discharged to the community.
* where not contraindicated
# excluding haemorrhagic strokes
Excellence Awards were given to hospitals that have:
- ≥30 episodes entered.
- composite score ≥80%.
- case ascertainment ≥80%.
- <10% missing data for award variables.
Distinction Awards were given to hospitals that have:
- ≥30 episodes entered.
- composite score ≥70%.
- case ascertainment ≥80%.
- <10% missing data for award variables.
Honorable Mentions were given to hospitals that have:
- ≥30 episodes entered.
- composite score ≥80%.
- case ascertainment of ≥70% OR ≥10% missing data for 1 award variables.
Category 1 Award winners
Excellence
- Royal Melbourne Hospital
- West Gippsland Hospital
- The Alfred Hospital
Distinction
- Royal Adelaide Hospital
- Austin Hospital
- Canberra Health Service
- Lyell McEwin Hospital
- Cairns Hospital
- Joondalup Health Campus
- Ipswich Hospital
- Townsville Hospital
- Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital
- Mildura Base Hospital
- Hamilton Base Hospital
- Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital
Honorable Mention
- Sunshine Hospital – Western Health
Category 2: Provision of timely reperfusion treatments
These awards were given to hospitals that have provided thrombolysis within 60 minutes of hospital arrival, or endovascular clot retrieval (ECR) within 90 minutes of hospital arrival, based on data submitted to the AuSCR or Stroke Foundation National Acute Services Audit (1st July 2022 to 31st December 2022).
Distinction Awards were given to hospitals that have:
- ≥15 episodes provided thrombolysis or endovascular clot retrieval (ECR).
- Median door-to-needle time for thrombolysis <60 mins OR median door-to-groin time for ECR <90 mins.
- Case ascertainment of ≥80% AND <10% missing data for the reperfusion time used for the award calculation.
Honorable Mentions were given to hospitals that have:
- ≥15 episodes provided thrombolysis or endovascular clot retrieval (ECR).
- Median door-to-needle time for thrombolysis ≤60 mins OR median door-to-groin time for ECR ≤90 mins.
- Case ascertainment between 70-79% OR ≥10% missing data for the reperfusion time variable used for the award calculation.
Category 2 Award (tPA) winners
Distinction
- The Alfred Hospital
- Royal Melbourne Hospital
- Austin Hospital
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital
- Royal Adelaide Hospital
Honorable Mention
- Box Hill Hospital