Table 1.
Characteristics of Hospitals Participating in the North Carolina Stroke Care Collaborative, 2005–2010, by PSC Certification Status
| PSC | Preparing for Certification | Non‐PSC | χ2 P Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N | 10 | 8 | 29 | |
| Community type, % | ||||
| Rural | 0 | 0 | 3.5 | 0.73 |
| Small town | 0 | 0 | 20.7 | 0.12 |
| Micropolitan | 10.0 | 50.0 | 37.9 | 0.16 |
| Urban/metropolitan | 90.0 | 50.0 | 37.9 | 0.03 |
| Bed size, % | ||||
| <100 | 0 | 25.0 | 31.0 | 0.13 |
| 100 to 249 | 20.0 | 25.0 | 58.6 | 0.05 |
| 250 to 499 | 0 | 37.5 | 10.3 | 0.05 |
| 500+ | 80.0 | 12.5 | 0 | <0.01 |
| Teaching hospital, % | 90.0 | 37.5 | 13.8 | 0.01 |
| Community access hospital, % | 0 | 0 | 24.1 | 0.08 |
| Process measures, % | ||||
| Acute stroke team | 80.0 | 50.0 | 24.1 | 0.07 |
| tPA protocol | 100 | 87.5 | 51.7 | 0.04 |
| Emergency department protocol | 100 | 50.0 | 44.8 | 0.02 |
| Protocols revised weekly | 90.0 | 37.5 | 34.5 | 0.02 |
| Stroke unit | 80.0 | 62.5 | 20.7 | <0.01 |
| Stroke unit general ward | 80.0 | 62.5 | 13.8 | <0.01 |
| Neurosurgery on staff | 90.0 | 62.5 | 24.1 | <0.01 |
| Neurosurgery 24/7 in 2 hours | 90.0 | 37.5 | 13.8 | <0.01 |
| Written plan for EMS transport | 80.0 | 50.0 | 41.4 | 0.16 |
| EMS notification activate protocol | 90.0 | 62.5 | 20.7 | <0.01 |
PSC indicates Primary Stroke Center; tPA, tissue plasminogen activator; EMS, emergency medical services.