Does Emergency department length of stay affect the 90-day functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke? (P3.073)

Objective: Emergency department length of stay is not associated with the 90-day functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke. Background: Data regarding the association between emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) and functional outcome after ischemic stroke is scant and contradictory. While some studies did not find an association, others reported worse outcome with longer ED-LOS in patients with severe stroke. We sought to investigate whether prolonged ED-LOS is independently associated with the 90-day functional outcome among ischemic stroke patients admitted to an academic tertiary care center. Methods: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of consecutive ischemic stroke patients (n=325) admitted from January 2013 to December 2013. Patients admitted directly to the intensive care unit (ICU) or the floor from other institutions, and for whom the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was not available were excluded. We collected demographic information, laboratory and imaging data, admission NIHSS, and 90 days mRS. The primary endpoint was a good 90-day outcome (mRS 0-2). Results: Factors associated with greater stroke severity such as NIHSS (p 0.05). Conclusion: In our cohort, there was no association between the ED-LOS and 90-day functional outcome. Further study is ongoing to assess whether ED-LOS adversely affects outcome measures not captured by the mRS. Disclosure: Dr. Patel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Minaeian has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tunguturi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Goddeau has nothing to disclose. Dr. Henninger has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Stroke.