Introduction: Registry data for monitoring patient care should be summarised in meaningful ways to optimise use for quality improvement (QI). The Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (AuSCR) feeds back data to participating hospitals through reports and data extracts. From July 2023, the registry has co-designed and released near real-time (refreshed at midnight) interactive data dashboards for additional use in data monitoring.
Aim: To describe the impact of AuSCR data and interactive dashboards on participating AuSCR hospitals.
Methods: Participating hospital contributors were sent a survey developed in Qualtrics. Open and closed questions including details on how AuSCR data at their hospital are used and what AuSCR tools or reports have been used for QI projects. The survey included thirteen questions and was sent via email. Up to four reminders were sent.
Results: Sixty-six responses were received from 54/64 hospitals (84%) whereby 81% undertook stroke QI projects in 2023. Of responders, 93% used AuSCR data to plan their QI projects with all available AuSCR tools and reports used. Swallow screening/assessments and thrombolysis door-to-needles times were the most common areas of focus. Overall, 61% reported that the data dashboards were useful/very useful and 18% used the dashboards in QI activities. Qualitative responses indicated that dashboards allowed for regular monitoring of indicators in QI projects, and offered suggestions for additional filters and dashboards.
Conclusion: Data from the AuSCR supports hospitals to undertake QI projects in stroke. Preliminary evidence from early adopters in use of the dashboards suggests their usefulness in QI activities by providing real-time insights and the ability to monitor progress.
Relevance to clinical practice or patient experience: Near real-time data feedback with the ability to interrogate data using filters supports focused QI projects at hospitals to improve the quality and timeliness of stroke care and improve patient experience and outcomes.