Stroke Treatment Evolves
- February 2005
- Français
February is Heart and Stroke Month - there is no better time to highlight the exceptional progress of the Niagara District Stroke Program over the past year, and to look forward to the exciting challenges ahead.
Over the past 12 months, the District Stroke Program has evolved considerably. An expansion of staff means the Stroke Prevention Clinic is now open four full days per week, up from only three mornings a week last year. Dr. Don Chew, Neurologist, has joined the District Stroke Program as the Medical Director. Leanne Hammond continues as the District Stroke Care Co-ordinator. Marie Rusnak, Nurse Practitioner, is the Acute Care Nurse Stroke Specialist also in the District Stroke Centre. Connie McCallum, Nurse Practitioner, Lesley Chown, Dietitian, and Wayne Miller, Social Worker, provide assessment and education in healthy lifestyles. Holly Seburn, Secretary, provides administrative support to the Stroke Prevention Team. The addition of these committed staff has allowed for the expansion of stroke-related services to the residents of Niagara.
Stroke Prevention Clinic
The expanded hours and staff at the Stroke Prevention Clinic in Niagara Falls mean more services are now provided, including:
- Neurology consultations
- Nurse Practitioner consultations
- Dietitian consultations
- Social Worker consultations
- Priority access to diagnostic tests
- Referral to Surgical Services when appropriate
- Referral to Allied Health Services when appropriate
- Identification of risk factors for stoke
- Health teaching for risk reduction
- Consultation note to the Primary Care Physician after each visit
- Follow-up appointment 2-3 months following initial visit and then as needed
"The visits to the Stroke Prevention Clinic have been steadily increasing since its inception in 2002," says Co-ordinator Leanne Hammond. "In year one, we had 276 patient/client visits. That number went up to 350 the second year, and already we are at 403 after only 9 months of this current year. In addition, we have had 54 Dietitian and Social Work visits in the last few months, allowing us to provide more holistic care to our clients."
One Client's Experience
Client Irene Leslie, 58, was referred to the Stroke Prevention Clinic from the Emergency Department at the Port Colborne General Hospital Site of the Niagara Health System in October 2004 following a diagnosis of a mini-stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). She was discharged from the hospital Emergency Department later that day.
Within 48 hours of her TIA, Irene saw the Neurologist. She had a Carotid Doppler test (a scan of the carotid arteries in the neck) completed at that time. Irene was also booked for stroke-related blood work (i.e. Cholesterol fractions) and for an appointment to see the Stroke Prevention Nurse Practitioner.
At her visit with the Nurse Practitioner two weeks later, Irene received education and information about her personal risk factors for stroke and determined a course of action to take to improve her lifestyle choices. She was then referred to the Dietitian for consultation regarding diet improvements and to the Social Worker for stress reduction.Today, Irene is making progress toward her lifestyle goals. "The Stroke Prevention Clinic has changed my life," says Irene. "The staff there treated me with such compassion and professionalism that it made me feel that my life was worth living again. They made me want to help myself."
Pilot Projects
In addition to increasing Stroke Prevention services, the District Stroke Program has supported two successful pilot projects in Niagara's hospitals to enhance the care provided to stroke inpatients. The Rehabilitation Pilot Project has trialed the use of an assessment tool to ensure all stroke patients regardless of point of system entry (hospital site) are placed in the correct rehabilitation setting in a timely manner. The Dysphagia Pilot Project has developed and tested a model for management of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing - present in half of stroke patients) across the Niagara Region. This Pilot Project has created an educational training program for hospital staff and developed dedicated swallowing teams on patient units who are experts in delivering care to dysphagia patients."The commitment shown by the Niagara Health System staff who participated in these projects is to be commended," says Leanne. "These projects help us in our efforts to move forward with evidenced-based practice in key areas along the continuum. We are looking forward to enhanced care for our stroke patients in the Niagara Region."
For more information, contact Leanne Hammond, District Stroke Care Co-ordinator at (905)358-4937 ext. 5557.