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| Improving Stroke Care at
the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare
System |
Primary Investigator
Tammy
Outly, RN, MSN,
ACNP-BC
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P.I. Institution
Name
VA
Pittsburgh Health Care System
Title
Contact Address
Pittsburgh,
PA
USA
Contact
E-mail
tammy.outly@va.gov
Contact Telephone
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Secondary
Investigators
Masciantonio,
Michael (RN, BSN, Mdiv); Shalaby, Alaa A. (MD);
Taylor, Melissa V. (PhD, RN); Young, Nancy J.
(RN, BSN)
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| Conference
Sponsor: |
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| Conference
Year: |
2009 |
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| [6th Annual Florida
Magnet Nursing Research Conference] PURPOSE: To
improve Stroke outcomes by educating both
professional and lay persons on the need to
recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke and
to treat stroke as a medical emergency. METHOD:
The recognition of stroke as a medical emergency
was addressed at both the professional and
layperson level. Interdisciplinary monthly
meetings were initiated to assess the current
level of stroke care and to identify areas for
improvement based on the capabilities of the
medical center. Several events were held in May
including a stroke screening along with the
strategic placement of educational materials
throughout the campus to promote awareness of
the signs and symptoms of stroke and the
importance of treating stroke as a medical
emergency. FINDINGS: Several key issues
identified were a need for a prompt alert to the
condition team, a systematic process for rapid
assessment, and the necessity for methodical
initial treatment of stroke. In addition to the
professional issues noted, there was also a lack
of knowledge in our patient population regarding
the signs and symptoms of stroke. DISCUSSION:
Education of the patients and their significant
others was accomplished by providing several
events in May including a stroke screening and
strategic placement of educational materials
throughout the campus to promote awareness of
the signs and symptoms of stroke and the
importance of treating stroke as a medical
emergency. Staff education continues for
notifying the condition team of a suspected
stroke in a timely manner. A "Stroke Card" is
being developed to provide a guideline for a
systematic assessment along with initial orders
to facilitate obtaining pertinent information
for appropriate treatment. To maintain the
success of this initiative it is imperative to
continue to assess and evaluate interventions to
achieve best practice at the point of
care. | | | |