ABSTRACT NUMBER: ESOC2026A2351 STROKE ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA – WHAT IS OUR STARTING POINT?

Abstract Background and aims Pneumonia is a common, serious complication of Stroke. With this Stroke Unit having an above average number of patients treated for Pneumonia, we aimed to establish an understanding of how Pneumonia was diagnosed and treated to inform a program of Quality Improvement. Methods Using retrospective analysis, we identified patients treated for Pneumonia and notes were reviewed, comparing our patients’ characteristics to those defining Stroke Associated Pneumonia (SAP) presented by Smith et al. (2015). Results 27% of the unit’s patients (n=12) were treated for Pneumonia, of which 58% were recorded as Aspiration Pneumonia. 83% were Ischaemic Strokes, 75% had anterior circulation syndromes and 25% had received reperfusion therapy. 25% were aphasic and 58% had an abnormal swallow. On respiratory examination, 57% of patients had positive findings, although only 25% were unilateral. 83% of patients had a chest x-ray, yet only 42% had results congruent with infection, and in patients who had venepuncture, 58% had a leucocytosis and 75% a raised C-reactive protein. 75% of patients did not have a viral swab and based on recorded diagnosis, 58% of cases met local Antibiotic Stewardship Guidelines. Based on the information we obtained, no patients met Smith et al.’s diagnostic criteria for SAP. Conclusions We have gained valuable insight into the current Pneumonia identification and diagnostic processes on our unit. We plan to focus on improving staff awareness of SAP on our unit and increasing requests of appropriate investigations such as viral swabs, chest x-rays and venepuncture. Antimicrobial stewardship will also be targeted. Conflict of interest David Devine, Rachel Walters, George Thomas, Samer Al-Husayni, Adam Young, nothing to declare.