Abstract Body: BACKGROUND: Stroke patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) in the United States have limited stroke recovery and reduced post-stroke neurological care.

OBJECTIVE: Identify 90-day stroke outcomes using the modified Rankin Score (mRS) for patients discharged from Methodist Hospital with LEP. The secondary objective was to identify post-stroke neurological follow-up and rehab therapies utilized by patients with LEP.
METHODS: Retrospective data collection of 1,026 charts from 2019-2022 tracking demographic findings, treatments, post-stroke neurological follow-up care, and 90-day mRS scores. Patients included in this study received either thrombolysis, thrombectomy, or both and were cared for at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.

RESULTS: Between the years of 2019-2022, there were 2,815 ischemic stroke patients at Methodist Hospital. Of those, 1,026 underwent an acute intervention either with thrombolysis, thrombectomy, or both. There were 55 identified as LEP. Of the 55 patients, 11 (1%) received an acute treatment. All LEP patients followed discharge recommendations: six to acute rehab, four discharged home, and one patient died. Two of the 11 (18%) patients had neurological follow-up care within a year. The majority of mRS scores for LEP patients at 90-day were not captured (36%). Further, 20% of LEP patients had language preference incorrectly labeled or uncategorized. Comparatively, to English proficient patients, 315 (39%) had follow-up neurological care and 16% had uncaptured mRS scores at 90-days.

CONCLUSION: The study did not show a statistical difference in 90-day mRS scores between LEP and English-proficient patients. The study was underpowered because of the small sample size. Demographic factors like language preference were not accurately captured. This study revealed no formalized protocol to document patient demographics including language or other social determinants of health. This suggests the hospital system needs to implement a formalized process to improve documentation. Additionally, there is disparate outpatient care for LEP stroke patients. To begin diversity, equity, and inclusion research medical centers need to adopt a formalized process to capture patient demographics and actively track outcomes of all patients to ensure equitable stroke care.