<p>BEST PRACTICE: Stroke Education: Patient and Family Development of Stroke Resource RN’s (unit based) </p><p>Hospital: Wakemed Health and Hospitals, Raleigh, NC  570 beds; 80-100 strokes/month</p><p>Key Stakeholder Stroke Program Coordinator</p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>Process Planning and implementation process: </p><p> 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 </p><p>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. </p><p>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 </p><p>Impact: Positive changes in patient care were evident based on performance data reports within 6 months of implementation:</p><p> Performance in stroke education compliance improved.  Nurses in nursing units throughout the hospital were better informed about best practice stroke care and program initiatives. .</p><p>Advice: There must be accountability for the involved staff members. Tying the program to clinical advancement/salary facilitates nurses taking an active role. </p>