LAUSR

Introduction: Pediatric acute ischemic stroke (P-AIS) is an under-recognized disease by pediatric healthcare providers, resulting in delay of its diagnosis. In spite of diagnostic tools such as the FAST and BE FAST mnemonics, lack of awareness leads to increased morbidity and mortality. This study aims to elucidate whether a brief educational activity would modify the identification and perception of P-AIS. Methods: Forty-nine pediatric healthcare providers were surveyed to assess their baseline skills in recognizing P-AIS. Providers attended a 30-minute activity outlining incidence, natural history, diagnosis, and examples of P-AIS treatment. The mnemonics “FAST” and “BE FAST” as applicable to children were futher expounded. Pre and post-surveys assessed providers’ profession, type of practice, ED service involvement, familiarity with the mnemonics, and P-AIS recognition performance for infants and children. Results: The forty-nine pediatric healthcare providers surveyed had the following degrees: 61% MD, 20% NP, 6% RN, 6% student, 4% PA, 2% DO. Futhermore, 78% work in private outpatient enviroments, 17% in academic outpatient institutions, 4% in private outpatient settings, and only 10% had emergency department involvement. Pre-Activity: 53% had heard of “FAST,” and 8% had heard of “BE FAST.” Correct knowledge of individual letters ranged between 12-39%, with the lowest recognition rates for “B” and “E.” At baseline, 65% of providers correctly recognized pediatric and specifically infant stroke cases. Post-Activity: 97% felt familiar with “BE FAST.”. Correct knowledge of individual letters following the educational activity improved to 100%. 95% of providers correctly recognized P-AIS, and 95% correctly identified infant stroke. Univariate logistic analysis showed that completing the training activity was the only significant factor improving the ability to identify P-AIS (OR: 10.35, CI: 2.2 to 48.2). Profession and type of practice were not significant. Conclusion: A 30-minute focused educational activity was sufficient to improve the perception and ability to recognize P-AIS among different levels of healthcare providers. The long-term effects of these interventions should be examined.