How to Implement Stroke Programs

Strokes, also known as cerebral vascular accidents (CVA), are caused when occlusions or bleeding occurs in the brain, resulting in tissue damage or death. They require immediate medical treatment to minimize permanent damage. Commons signs of a stroke include facial drooping, slurred speech, fixated gaze and weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. Time is an important factor in treating stroke. Fast treatment helps increase the chances of recovery. Implementing a stroke program in an emergency department can help assure that stroke victims receive the fastest treatment possible, which may result in a better prognosis.

Instructions

• 1

  Create a stroke program for an emergency room that details what will be done for patients with signs and symptoms of stroke. Build a special stroke team composed of specialists whose expertise provide patients with the best, most appropriate treatment options. The AHA recommends inclusion of such specialists as an emergency medicine physician, neurologist, stroke nurse, pharmacist, CT scan staff, laboratory phlebotomists and IV therapists. The emergency room can implement stroke protocols -- systematic instructions written by physicians detailing how to care for a stroke patient.

  Stroke protocols should include a list of signs and symptoms of stroke that nurses should look for during patient assessment and the type of diagnostic tests to be performed. Procedures for implementing the stroke program can also be added.

• 2

  Advise healthcare providers of the implementation of the hospital's stroke program

  Advise hospital staff, EMS providers and the community of the hospital's stroke program. Informing the community promotes the program by providing information on how to recognize signs of stroke. It also tells people where to receive proper treatment of the condition. Hold staff meetings to educate employees on stroke program details, protocols and how to initiate the program when stroke is suspected.

  Contact EMS providers and advise them of the hospital's stroke program. This will encourage EMS companies to transport possible stroke patients to their emergency department instead of other emergency departments that may not offer specialized stroke care. All emergency rooms are capable of treating stroke, however; a facility with a stroke program will be able to provide the specialized care and treatment that can minimize the long-term effects of the stroke.

• 3

  Organize the common signs and symptoms of stroke into an easy-to-use reference guide to help healthcare providers recognize stroke. Nurses and nursing assistants may not work with stroke patients on a regular basis, so the reference guide acts as a reminder of signs and symptoms. Place reference guides at each triage station, nurse's station and admitting desk. Teach staff how to use the guides and when to implement the stroke program, including when to perform and order diagnostic testing.

• 4

  Stroke team members carry pagers or cell phones that can be used to alert them when a stroke patient is at the hospital

  Instruct caregivers and admittance clerks how to contact the stroke team when a possible stroke patient enters the emergency room. Post contact information, including team member names, pager and phone numbers, next to the reference guides. Assign one stroke team member as the primary contact responsible for notifying other team members. Specialized pager messages can be sent, advising team members of a possible stroke patient and approximate time of arrival. This advances procedures and preparation of tests, treatments and medications.