Improving stroke care

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

According to a new study, using standardized forms on admission is helpful for improving the care of stroke survivors.
There are various treatments that can help reduce the amount of disability associated with a stroke. Care is complicated but doctors in California think they may have found a way to help stroke survivors get a better deal.

In six California hospitals, doctors tried using standardized new forms whenever stroke patients were admitted and discharged. The forms listed standard treatments for stroke such as clot-busting drugs and measures such as smoking cessation counseling. Check boxes were used to record what treatments were used. If a treatment was not recommended, the reason had to be given.

Comparing care before and after the forms were introduced showed that optimal treatment was more likely to be given when the form was used. It's just a simple measure, but helps to organize care so the patient gets maximum benefit after a stroke.

Source
Neurology 9th August 2005

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