From ‘strong recommendation’ to practice: A pre-test post-test study examining adherence to stroke guidelines for fever, hyperglycaemia, and swallowing (FeSS) management post-stroke

The Quality in Acute Stroke Care (QASC) Trial demonstrated that assistance to implement protocols to manage Fever, hyperglycaemia (Sugar) and Swallowing (FeSS) post-stroke reduced death and disability. In 2017, a ‘Strong Recommendation’ for use of FeSS Protocols was included in the Australian Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management. We aimed to: i) compare adherence to FeSS Protocols pre- and post-guideline inclusion; ii) determine if adherence varied with prior participation in a treatment arm of a FeSS Intervention study, or receiving treatment in a stroke unit; and compare findings with our previous studies. Pre-test post-test study using Australian acute stroke service audit data comparing 2015/2017 (pre-guideline) versus 2019/2021 (post-guideline) adherence. Primary outcome was adherence to all six FeSS indicators (composite), with mixed-effects logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, stroke type and severity (ability to walk on admission), stroke unit care, hospital prior participation in a FeSS Intervention study, and correlation of outcomes within hospital. Additional analysis examined interaction effects. Overall, 112 hospitals contributed data to ≥1 one Audit cycle for both periods (pre=7011, post=7195 cases); 42 hospitals had participated in any treatment arm of a FeSS Intervention study. Adherence to FeSS Protocols post-guideline increased (pre: composite measure 35% vs post: composite measure 40 %, aOR:1.2 95 %CI: 1.2, 1.3). Prior participation in a FeSS Intervention study (aOR:1.6, 95 %CI: 1.2, 2.0) and stroke unit care (aOR 2.3, 95 %CI: 2.0, 2.5) were independently associated with greater adherence to FeSS Protocols. There was no change in adherence over time based on prior participation in a FeSS Intervention study (p = 0.93 interaction), or stroke unit care (p = 0.07 interaction). There is evidence of improved adherence to FeSS Protocols following a ‘strong recommendation’ for their use in the Australian stroke guidelines. Change in adherence was similar independent of hospital prior participation in a FeSS Intervention study, or stroke unit care. However, maintenance of higher pre-guideline adherence for hospitals prior participation in a FeSS Intervention study suggests that research participation can facilitate greater guideline adherence; and confirms superior care received in stroke units. Nevertheless, less than half of Australian patients are being cared for according to the FeSS Protocols, providing impetus for additional str