Friday, July 03, 2015
Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance
HPHA – Integrated Stroke Unit Helping To Improve Patient Outcomes
This June, in recognition of Stroke Month, the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) is pleased to highlight the new Integrated Stroke Unit (ISU) located at the Stratford General Hospital (SGH) Site. The eight bed unit transitioned its model of care beginning in early December 2014 and is now fully functional. On the new unit, patients experiencing a stroke have access to best practice stroke care provided by a team of professionals with expertise specifically in stroke.
An Integrated Stroke Unit (ISU) provides both acute and rehabilitative care to patients during their in-patient stays following a stroke. The patient remains on the same unit, in the same bed, surrounded by key health team members there to help them through their acute and rehabilitation care. This allows for more timely assessment, management, and consistency of care throughout their hospitalization and transition to the home/community.
“Research shows that Stroke Unit Care has some of the strongest evidence for improved patient outcomes,” says Ellen Richards, Manager District Stroke Centre. “Those who suffer a stroke are more likely to survive, maintain their independence and live at home one year post-stroke. Other benefits include a 30 percent reduction in the likelihood of death and disability for men and women of any age with mild, moderate or severe stroke along with fewer complications, earlier mobilization and earlier recognition of pneumonia in stroke survivors.”
The ISU model of care is characterized by a coordinated interprofesssional team approach for preventing stroke complications, preventing stroke recurrence, accelerating mobilization and providing early rehabilitation therapy. Members of the team include physicians, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech language pathology, social work, pharmacy, registered dietitian in addition to the patient and their family.
Linda Ashcroft has experienced the benefits of integrated stroke care. After experiencing sudden weakness and impaired speech, her family called 911 and she was rushed to the SGH Emergency Department. There she was triaged and the Stroke Protocol was initiated within 5 minutes of arrival.
“When a Stroke patient arrives at the Stratford General Hospital site within 4.5 hours of the onset of their symptoms, we initiate a sequence of referrals and investigations in a very time sensitive manner,” says Richards. “This is what we call the Stroke Protocol. The objective is to deliver tPA, the clot busting drug, within the 4.5 hours window to all eligible patients.”
After a short stay in the Critical Care unit at SGH, Linda was transferred to the hospital’s brand new Integrated Stroke Unit (ISU) where she was stabilized medically then transitioned seamlessly into her stroke rehabilitation.
During Linda’s rehabilitative journey, she faced transitions. Planning to return home was her greatest desire and yet filled with unknowns. The transition planning of the ISU and the Community Stroke Rehab Teams (CSRT) helped ease Linda’s anxieties.
“Recovery after a stroke for me was about getting back to everything I used to take for granted,” states Linda. Linda gives credit to the ISU and CSRT staff and the tools at their disposal for her ability to navigate the unknown post-stroke. “They helped answer the question ‘what will life be like?’”
If you or anyone you know is displaying the signs of stroke, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
The Stroke Program at the HPHA includes:
District Stroke Centre: The Stratford General Hospital Site is a District Stroke Centre which provides specialized best practice care for TIA and Stroke patients throughout the continuum from prevention at the Secondary Stroke Prevention Clinic, to inpatient acute and rehabilitative care on the Integrated Stroke Unit and community re-integration with the Community Stroke Rehab Team. Together with Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (a Telestroke Site), Stratford General Hospital provides the clot busting drug tPA. Patients throughout Huron and Perth are brought immediately to the closer of these two sites by ambulance if they have signs and symptoms of stroke for less than 3.5 hours, to receive this brain saving treatment.
Secondary Stroke Prevention Clinic: An Outpatient Clinic located at the Stratford General Hospital Site for individuals who have had a recent TIA or stroke.
Integrated Stroke Unit: An inpatient unit located at the Stratford General Hospital Site which provides both acute and rehabilitative care to patients during their in-patient stays following a stroke.
Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team: Specialized expertise, coordinated teamwork and a personalized approach to supporting stroke survivors in their communities.
Media Contacts:
Ellen Richards
Manager District Stroke Centre
519-272-8210 ext 2298
ellen.richards@hpha.ca
Kathie Cuerden
Program Director, Medicine & Stroke
519-272-8210 ext 2482
kathie.cuerden@hpha.ca
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