Resources
Stroke & TIA
Date: March 27, 2015
Filed under:
Improve Clinical Care, Past Clinical Improvement Initiatives, Past Project
The first BC Stroke & TIA Collaborative ran from September 2011 to June 2012. The purpose of the Collaborative was to improve the management of stroke and TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) patients in the acute stage of the stroke continuum. This Collaborative was launched through the provincial Clinical Care Management initiative, and executed through the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council. This work was one of the initiatives of the BC Stroke Strategy, administered by Stroke Services BC. It helped to standardize care for emergency departments, leading to a significant increase in the provincial rates of ischemic stroke patients who are receiving acute thrombolytic treatment.
How Hospitals in British Columbia are Improving Stroke Care
Stroke Services BC led a second improvement collaborative from January to December 2013. This resulted in the opening of 75 new dedicated stroke unit beds across the province. Dr. Devin Harris, Stroke Clinical Lead for the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council and Medical Advisor for Stroke Services BC, explained the importance of this achievement: “Stroke units, consisting of a designated ward with specially trained physicians, nurses, and therapists, have been unequivocally shown to reduce death and disability post-stroke.”
For more information on how BC is improving stroke care, please contact Stroke Services BC. For stroke best practices, go to Canadian Stroke Best Practices. Visit Heart and Stroke to learn more.