Women and In-hospital Stroke Code Activation

Background Women have worse stroke outcomes than men, and almost 17% of all stroke cases have symptom onset when admitted to the hospital for a separate condition. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the distinctive factors that impact the activation of an in-hospital stroke code and outcomes in women who have a stroke while admitted to the hospital for a separate condition. Methods A retrospective observational propensity score study guided by the model for nursing effectiveness was used. Results In-hospital stroke code was activated in 46 of 149 or 30.9% of women and 15 of 149 or 10.1% of women received thrombolytic therapy. Activation of an in-hospital stroke code was significant ( P < .001) for women receiving thrombolytic therapy and significant to a home discharge status ( P = .014). Age ( P < .001), ethnicity ( P < .001), common ( P ≤ .001) and unique ( P = .012) stroke symptoms, stroke risk factors ( P < .001), comorbid conditions ( P < .001), time last known well ( P = .041), and diagnostic imaging ( P < .001) were all significantly related to activation of an in-hospital stroke code. Conclusions Activation of an in-hospital stroke is a key indicator for women to receive thrombolytic therapy and be discharged to home. Younger married women from non-Caucasian ethnic groups and women with stroke risk factors and comorbid conditions are at a greater risk for delayed stroke symptom detection and not having an in-hospital stroke code activated. Awareness of these factors that hinder early stroke detection in women is crucial to improving stroke treatment and outcomes in women.