To provide data that Point of Care Magnetic Resonance Imaging (POC MRI) can promote early discharge of stroke and TIA patients when implemented into the neurohospitalist setting. 

POC MRI is a novel imaging technology where an MRI can be performed at. We previously demonstrated this process, where we coined the term, ‘Point of Care MRI’, and discussed its implementation into our neurohospitalist workflow. Due to long wait times for a conventional MRI, we sought to mitigate extended hospital stays by implementing POC MRI for patients with a suspected stroke or TIA. We quantified the percent of discharges within 24 hours of admission that occurred after obtaining a POC MRI. 

We implemented a pilot study at a hospital, a primary stroke center and level 2 trauma center. We collected data on the percent of patients undergoing stroke or TIA work-up requiring an MRI of the brain. Our study population underwent POC MRI either in the emergency department or the inpatient medical unit. We quantified the respective number of patients in each group and the percent of patients who were able to be discharged within 24 hours after POC MRI.

Among eleven patients in the emergency department with a suspected stroke or TIA, we found that 11/11 (100%) of these studies were of diagnostic value and 10 patients (91%) were able to be discharged home within 24 hours. Among the 24 patients in the inpatient medical floor group with a suspected stroke or TIA, we found that 22/24 (92%) of these studies were of diagnostic value. We found that 6/24 (25%) of these patients were able to be discharged within 24 hours.

POC MRI can reduce the wait time for inpatient hospital stroke and TIA work up and therefore increase the percent of patients who can be discharged within 24 hours.