BEST PRACTICE: Stroke Education: Patient and Family

BEST PRACTICE: Stroke Education: Patient and Family Development of Stroke Resource RN’s (unit based)

Hospital: Wakemed Health and Hospitals, Raleigh, NC  570 beds; 80-100 strokes/month

Key Stakeholder Stroke Program Coordinator

Overview: A key factor for initiating this program was to increase Opportunity compliance with patient and family education about stroke. Initial quality goal: 85% compliance with education for patients and families.

Proposed the development of “Stroke Resource Nurse”  The effectiveness of having a specific “resource role” for nurses had already been established in other specialties.  Besides meeting patient care goals these positions provided the opportunity for individual to demonstrate leadership skills and advance via the clinical ladder.

Process Planning and implementation process:

 Educational requirements and performance expectations were developed for the role.  Each nursing units’ management team was asked to identify a staff nurse who would be willing to serve as a “Stroke Resource Nurse” for their unit.  A meeting was held with those identified to discuss stroke program focus and goals.  Education required for the nurses serving in the role was provided through existing Nursing Education department courses. These were focused on stroke

Time frame/ The planning and implementation for this program was 3 to 4 Administrative Support months. This was made possible due to the support from administrative leadership.  The program’s VP initiated the request to the nursing Barriers units for volunteers for the role.  A few units did not identify an individual for the role. Performance data was shared with these units that indicated a need for the resource position.  Program was rolled out all at once.

Education/Communication All methods of communication were utilized to promote the positions and to communicate performance results:  Emails  Meetings/sharing of performance  Kudo emails’ to resource RN’s on projects completed

Impact: Positive changes in patient care were evident based on performance data reports within 6 months of implementation:

 Performance in stroke education compliance improved.  Nurses in nursing units throughout the hospital were better informed about best practice stroke care and program initiatives. .

Advice: There must be accountability for the involved staff members. Tying the program to clinical advancement/salary facilitates nurses taking an active role.