door-to-puncture time
Quality metric measuring time from hospital arrival to arterial access for endovascular stroke intervention.
Full Definition
Door-to-puncture time is a critical quality metric in acute stroke care, measuring the elapsed time from patient arrival at the hospital emergency department to arterial puncture for endovascular intervention. This metric reflects the efficiency of emergency stroke protocols, including triage, imaging, decision-making, and procedural preparation. Current guidelines recommend door-to-puncture times of 90 minutes or less for optimal outcomes, though many centers strive for even shorter intervals. Factors affecting this metric include imaging protocols, team notification systems, patient transfer logistics, and procedural room availability. Systematic tracking and improvement of door-to-puncture times is essential for stroke center quality assurance and patient outcome optimization.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify time measurement methodology; distinguish from other stroke time metrics.
In Context
- "The stroke team achieved a door-to-puncture time of 73 minutes despite off-hours presentation." — Quality improvement report
- "Hospital protocols were revised to reduce median door-to-puncture times below the 90-minute guideline target." — Stroke center performance analysis