Webinar Description
This webinar explores the successful implementation of the Vision, Aphasia, Neglect (VAN) stroke scale in a large EMS organization to improve prehospital identification and triage of large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes. Attendees will learn how targeted strategies—including video-based training completed by over 98% of EMS personnel, protocol updates, and new documentation tools in ImageTrend Elite—led to a significant increase in understanding of LVO detection and VAN scale usage, rising from 8% to over 95% within six months. The session will highlight the importance of combining education, process engineering, and technology changes to drive operational compliance and improve care quality.
Key challenges, such as documentation inconsistencies and confusion about multiple stroke scales, were addressed through workflow redesigns and the creation of neuro-assessment power tools, simplifying accurate and efficient documentation. Attendees will also see how data monitoring and validation rules supported sustained performance and compliance improvements.
Join this webinar to explore a framework for using data-driven decision-making and cross-disciplinary collaboration to enhance both prehospital and in-hospital stroke care, offering actionable insights for EMS organizations, healthcare systems, and quality improvement professionals.
Join us!
About the Presenter Christie Traczyk
Analytics and QA/PI Manager | Allina Health Emergency Medical Services
Christie is the Manager of Analytics and Quality for Allina Health EMS. She has been involved in EMS for 13 years, in ground and air operations, and in the med tech and healthcare industry, with a background in engineering and analytics, for close to 20 years. Christie’s recent career focus is on using data to support clinical care, system performance optimization, integrated care pathway improvements, and operational decision-making. Improving stroke care in EMS involves strengthening early recognition, streamlining prehospital workflows, and integrating EMS data with our hospital system partners to support coordinated, timely intervention across the care continuum. The VAN project, focusing on stroke care, was one example of our collaborative efforts within the Allina system.
About the Presenter Marc LeVoir
Senior Safety and Quality Coordinator | Allina Health Emergency Medical Services
Marc has been involved with EMS since 2008, including 13 as a paramedic, 8 years doing Critical Care transport, and 5 years as a Quality Coordinator. For the past two years, he has been the primary person responsible for maintaining and updating Elite and also assists with Research Projects. His main goal is to try to make documentation as thorough and accurate as possible while simultaneously making it as easy and fast as possible for clinicians.
Tomorrow Won’t Look Like Today. Prepare for What’s Next.
See the bigger picture and confidently face the challenges ahead with our industry-leading solutions.