To improve access to acute stroke care in Kansas regardless of geographic location, decreasing mortality and improving stroke survival.

The state of Kansas is a largely rural area with many of the hospitals being designated critical access.  Residents in Kansas have faced difficulty receiving quality acute stroke care in a timely manner because of the geographic disadvantage.  The mortality rate from stroke is higher in rural versus urban areas of the state. 

The Kansas Initiative for Stroke Survival (KISS) was developed in 2011 in response to a state-wide survey distributed to hospitals in Kansas as well information from the Cardiovascular Burden document by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.  The survey showed many hospitals in Kansas weren’t prepared to evaluate and treat stroke, didn’t have a stroke team in place or have Alteplase.  We also found there was a high mortality rate from stroke in Kansas and the IV Alteplase treatment rate was below the national average.  The goal of KISS was to help hospitals in the state through education and enhance access to evidence-based ischemic stroke practice. 

Data collection: 2011-2019. Number of emergent stroke ready hospitals, Alteplase/thrombectomy treatment rates, hub hospital drip-and-ship rate and mortality rate.  Stroke volume, door-to-needle and door-to-groin puncture, 3-month mRs from The University of Kansas Health System will also be presented.