Stroke Quality Data

Stroke quality measures and outcomes

A person points to a brain scan, representing the quality data for the stroke program at Scripps.

Stroke quality measures and outcomes

Stroke is a medical emergency that requires rapid treatment — the more quickly you receive care, the better your chances of survival and long-term recovery. You can also reduce your risk of serious side effects, including permanent disabilities, by seeking care from hospitals that have proven their ability to manage even the most complex stroke cases. 


Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla was one of the first US hospitals to receive Comprehensive Stroke Center certification by The Joint Commission. Scripps Mercy San Diego Hospital has received a certification by The Joint Commission as a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center. These elite designations mean we offer a high standard of stroke care not available at many hospitals, including minimally invasive treatments that can reopen blocked arteries, seal a ruptured blood vessel or remove a blood clot from the brain.


Additionally, Scripps’ other hospitals with emergency rooms are all certified as Primary Stroke Centers by The Joint Commission. This means if you or a loved one ever need stroke care, you can rest assured that Scripps has the advanced protocols and procedures in place to treat you quickly and effectively.


Below is some important data illustrating Scripps’ experience and performance in treating stroke patients during the 2023 fiscal year. 


Volume and types of stroke patients

Scripps cares for a large number of stroke patients and has the experience necessary to diagnose and treat all varieties of stroke, no matter how complex.

Number of stroke patients treated at Scripps (FY2023)

A bar graph visualizing the number of stoke patients treated at Scripps during our fiscal year 2023.

Number of stroke patients treated at Scripps (FY2023)

Inpatient performance measures

Scripps utilizes evidence-based guidelines endorsed by The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, to ensure all patients suffering from stroke receive appropriate care. At Scripps, we monitor our compliance with our stroke core measures as endorsed by The Joint Commission. The chart below highlights our consistent performance in exceeding standards.

Scripps stroke core measure composite compliance (FY2023)

A bar graph showing Stroke Composite Measure compliance in stroke core measures at Scripps in 2023.

Scripps stroke core measure composite compliance (FY2023)

More about stroke core measures

Stroke core measures include:


Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis

The percentage of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients who received a type of therapy to prevent blood clots the day of, or the day after, hospital admission. 


Discharged on anti-thrombotic therapy

The percentage of ischemic stroke patients who were prescribed a type of blood thinning medication upon discharge from the hospital. 


Number of patients prescribed anti-coagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation/flutter

The percentage of ischemic stroke patients diagnosed with a heart condition called atrial fibrillation, who were prescribed a blood thinning medication upon discharge from the hospital. 


Thrombolytic therapy

Percentage of ischemic stroke patients who arrived at the hospital within two hours of stroke symptom onset, and were given a type of “clot-busting” medicine called intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV t-PA) within three hours of symptom onset. 


Anti-thrombotic therapy by end of hospital day two

Percentage of ischemic stroke patients given a blood thinning medication by the end of their second day in the hospital. 


Discharge on statin medication

Percentage of ischemic stroke patients who were prescribed a medication to lower cholesterol upon discharge from the hospital.


Stroke education

Percentage of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke patients (or their caregivers) who were given stroke education materials during their hospital stay. 


Assessed for rehabilitation

Percentage of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke patients who were assessed for rehabilitation needs including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech or swallowing therapy.

Amount of time it takes to administer IV thrombolytic

Time is brain! Clinical practice guidelines recommend hospitals administer a type of clot-busting medicine called thrombolytic to eligible ischemic stroke patients within 60 minutes of arrival. 


Scripps has been recognized with the Target: stroke elite plus honor roll and the Target: stroke elite honor roll award by the American Stroke Association for using thrombolytic therapy within 60 minutes in 75% or more of applicable acute ischemic stroke patients.

Effectiveness of endovascular procedures

Ischemic strokes are caused by a blockage in one of the arteries that supply blood to the brain. Patients with evidence of blockage in one of the major blood vessels in their brain, who present within the first six hours from the onset of their stroke, can be treated with a catheter-based approach. This endovascular treatment immediately restores blood flow, captures the blood clot and removes it from the blood vessel.

Successful reperfusion after endovascular treatment after ischemic stroke (FY2023)

A bar graph showing successful reperfusion after endovascular treatment after ischemic stroke FY23.

*Recommended goal from the Endovascular Stroke Standards Committee of the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (2015)

Successful reperfusion after endovascular treatment after ischemic stroke (FY2023)

Many hospitals use a scale called thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) to evaluate the success of endovascular treatments. The more open a blood vessel is following treatment, the more easily blood can flow through it. 


In 2015, the Endovascular Stroke Standards Committee of the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology established the following national benchmark for hospitals: At least 50% of ischemic stroke patients who undergo endovascular treatment must achieve a TICI grade of “2b” or higher. This means the vessel completely fills with blood, even though the rate of blood flow may be slower than normal.


Scripps La Jolla and Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego exceeded this goal, achieving TICI scores of 2b or higher among 85% of patients treated with endovascular procedures.