Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care: 2008 Recommendation 4: Acute Inpatient

1. Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care (Updated 2008)Section # 3Hyperacute Stroke Management Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care: 2008 Recommendation 4: Acute Inpatient Stroke Care

2. 4.0 Acute Inpatient Stroke Care • 4.1 Stroke unit care • 4.2 Components of acute inpatient care

3. 4.1 Stroke Unit Care Patients admitted to hospital because of an acute stroke or TIA should be treated in an interdisciplinary stroke unit. • A stroke unit is a specialized, geographically defined hospital unit dedicated to the management of stroke patients. • The core disciplinary team should consist of people with appropriate levels of expertise in: • Medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech-language pathology, social work, clinical nutrition • Additional disciplines may include: pharmacy, neuropsychology and recreation therapy.

4. 4.1 Stroke Unit Care • Langhorne et al 2002, identified components of stroke unit care including assessment: • Medical evaluation and diagnostic testing • Early assessment of rehabilitation needs • Early management policies: early mobilization, prevention of complications, treatment of hypoxia, hyperglycemia, fever and hydration. • Ongoing rehabilitation policies: coordinated interdisciplinary team care, early assessment of needs after discharge.

5. 4.1 Stroke Unit Care • The interdisciplinary team should assess patients within 48 hours of admission and formulate a management plan. • Clinicians should use standardized, valid assessment tools to evaluate the patient’s stroke-related impairments and functional status. • Any child admitted to hospital with stroke should be managed in a centre with pediatric stroke expertise and/or using standardized pediatric stroke protocols.

6. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale www.strokecenter.org

7. Canadian Neurological Scale www.heartandstroke.ca/profed

8. System Implications • Organized system of stroke care. • Protocols and mechanisms to enable the rapid transfer of stroke patients. • Information on location of stroke units and other specialized stroke care models need to be available to community service providers.

9. Performance Measures • Number of stroke patients treated on a stroke unit at any time during their inpatient hospital stay for an acute stroke event as a percentage of total number of stroke patients admitted to hospital. • Percentage of stroke patients discharged to their home or place of residence following an inpatient admission for stroke. • Proportion of total time in hospital for an acute stroke event spent on a stroke unit. • Percentage increase in telehealth or telestroke coverage to remote communities to support organized stroke care across the continuum.

10. 4.2 Components of Acute Inpatient Care • Risk for venous thrombo-embolism, temperature, mobilization, continence, nutrition and oral care should be addressed for all hospitalized stroke patients. • Appropriate management strategies should be implemented for areas of concern identified when screening. • Discharge planning should be included as part of initial assessment and ongoing care of patients.

11. 4.2a Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis • All stroke patients should be assessed for their risk of developing VTE (including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism). Patients considered as high risk include patients with inability to move one or both lower limbs and those patients unable to mobilize independently. • Patients who are identified as high risk should be considered for prophylaxis provided there are no contraindications. • Early mobilization and adequate hydration should be encouraged with all acute stroke patients to help prevent VTE.

12. 4.2a Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis • The use of secondary stroke prevention measures, such as antiplatelet therapy, should be optimized in all stroke patients. • The following interventions may be used for patients with acute ischemic stroke at high risk of VTE in the absence of contraindications: • Low molecular weight heparin or heparin in prophylactic doses • External compression stockings • For patients with hemorrhagic stroke, nonpharmacologic prophylaxis should be considered to reduce the risk of VTE.

13. 4.2a Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis • Risk factors for venous thromboembolism may include: • Surgery • Immobility: paresis • Increasing age • Malignancy • Previous VTE • Heart or respiratory failure • Obesity

14. 4.2b Temperature • Should be monitored as part of routine vital sign assessments • Every 4 hours for first 48 hours • Then per unit routine or based on clinical judgment • For temperature >37.5: • Increase frequency of monitoring and initiate temperature reducing measures • Sources of fever should be treated and antipyretic medications administered to lower temperature in febrile patients with stroke to <38. • In case of fever, the search for possible infection is recommended, in order to start tailored antibiotic treatment.

15. 4.2c Mobilization • Mobilization is defined as “the act of getting a patient to move in the bed, sit up, stand and eventually walk.” • All people admitted to hospital with acute stroke should be mobilized as early and as frequently as possible and preferably within 24 hours of stroke symptom onset, unless contraindicated.

16. 4.2c Mobilization • Contraindications include: • Deterioration of the patient’s condition requiring admission to ICU within the first hour of admission • Decision for palliative treatment or immediate surgery • Suspected limb fracture • Unstable coronary or other medical condition • Systolic blood pressure <100mmHg or >220mmHg • Oxygen saturation <92% with supplementation • Resting heart rate <40 or >110 beats/minute • Temperature >38.5

17. 4.2c Mobilization • Within the first 3 days after stroke the following should be monitored before each mobilization: • Blood pressure • Oxygen saturation • Heart rate • All people admitted to hospital with acute stroke should be assessed by rehab professionals as soon as possible after admission, preferably within the first 24-48 hours.

18. 4.2d Continence • All stroke patients should be screened for urinary incontinence and retention, fecal incontinence and constipation. • Stroke patients with urinary incontinence should be assessed by trained personnel using a structured functional assessment. • The use of indwelling catheters should be avoided. If used, catheters should be assessed daily and removed as soon as possible.

19. 4.2d Continence • A bladder training program should be implemented in patients who are incontinent of urine. • The use of a portable ultrasound is recommended as the preferred non-invasive method for assessing post-void residual and eliminates the risk of introducing urinary infection or causing urethral trauma by catheterization. • A bowel management program should be implemented in stroke patients with persistent constipation or bowel incontinence.

20. 4.2e Nutrition • The nutritional and hydration status of stroke patients should be screened within the first 48 hours of admission using a valid screening tool. • Results from the screening process should guide appropriate referral to a dietitian for further assessment and the need for ongoing management of nutritional and hydration status.

21. 4.2e Nutrition • Stroke patients with suspected nutritional and/or hydration deficits, including dysphagia should be referred to a dietitian for: • Recommendations to meet nutrient and fluid needs orally while supporting alterations in food texture and fluid consistency based on the assessment by a SLP or other trained professional. • Consideration of enteral nutrition support within 7 days of admission for patients who are unable to meet their nutrient and fluid requirements orally. This decision should be made collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team, patient and their caregivers.

22. 4.2f Oral Care • All stroke patients should have an oral/dental assessment, which includes screening for signs of dental disease, level of oral care and appliances upon or soon after admission. • For patients wearing a full or partial denture it must be determined if they have the neuromotor skills to safely wear and use the appliance(s). • An oral care protocol should be used for every patient with stroke including those with dentures.

23. 4.2f Oral Care • An oral care protocol should address areas including: • Frequency of oral care • Types of oral care products • Specific management for patients with dysphagia • Consistency with current recommendations of the CDA • If concerns are identified with implementing an oral care protocol, consider consulting a dentist, occupational therapist, SLP and/or dental hygienist. • If concerns are identified with oral health and/or appliances, patients should be referred to a dentist for consultation and management as soon as possible.

24. 4.2g Discharge Planning Discharge planning should be initiated as soon as possible after patient admission to hospital. • A process should be established to ensure involvement of patients and caregivers in the development of the care plan, management and discharge planning. • Discharge planning discussions should be ongoing throughout hospitalization to support a smooth transition from acute care. • Information about discharge issues and possible needs after discharge should be provided to patients and caregivers soon after admission.

25. 4.2g Discharge Planning • Components of effective discharge planning should include: • Family and team meetings • Care plans • Pre-discharge needs assessment • Caregiver training • Post-discharge follow-up • Information and education • Liaison with community resources • Review of patient and caregiver psychological and support needs.

26. System Implications • Acute stroke patients admitted to stroke units during inpatient stay. • Acute stroke inpatients managed by interdisciplinary stroke teams. • Standardized evidence-based protocols for optimal acute inpatient care of all stroke patients, regardless of location in a healthcare facility. • Ongoing professional development for all professionals who participate in the care of acute stroke patients. • Referral systems to ensure rapid access to specialty care such as dentistry.

27. Performance Measures • Percentage of inpatients with stroke who experience complications during inpatient stay: • Pneumonia • Venous thromboembolism • Gastrointestinal bleed • Secondary cerebral hemorrhage • Pressure ulcers • Urinary tract infection • Pulmonary embolus • Seizures or convulsions • Length of stay for stroke patients admitted to hospital.

28. Implementation Tips • Form a working group, consider both local and regional representation • Assess current practices using the Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care Update (2008) Gap Analysis Tool • Identify strengths, challenges, opportunities • Have a mechanism to measure and track performance • Identify 2-3 priorities for action • Identify local and regional champions.

29. Implementation Tips • Identify professional education needs and develop a professional education learning plan. • Consider local or regional workshops to focus on acute stroke management. • Access resources such as Heart and Stroke Foundation, provincial contacts. • Consult with other strategies for lessons learned, resources.

30. www.canadianstrokestrategy.cawww.cmaj.ca