Acute

Stroke Unit Care

Acute Stroke Unit

"All efforts should be made to admit patients to an acute stroke unit, which is a specialized geographically defined hospital unit dedicated to the management of patients with stroke" (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2022). Patients that receive care on a stroke unit experience improved outcomes, reduced complications and better access to rehabilitation (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2022). Some best practice resources related to stroke unit care are listed below.

A Toolkit for Implementation of Stroke Unit Care

This provincial resource supports the Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care in the acute care and inpatient rehabilitation settings. It provides guidance for the establishment of new stroke units and the enhancement of existing stroke units to provide optimal services and processes of care for stroke patients. 

Patient Experience of Acute Stroke Unit Care

In the following video, Linda and Joan (stroke survivors) and their families describe the importance of acute stroke unit care.

Stroke Units in Southeastern Ontario

Stroke unit care is available at Kingston Health Sciences Centre - Kingston General Hospital site, Brockville General Hospital and Quinte Health. See links below for information on the different stroke units and algorithms for stroke unit care in Southeastern Ontario.

Assessment of the Stroke Patient

Bedside Neurological Assessment of the Stroke Patient

Dr. Al Jin, Medical Director for the Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario explains and demonstrates how to quickly assess a stroke patient at the bedside.

Canadian Neurological Scale (CNS)

The CNS is a validated and recommended tool for assessing and monitoring the neurological status of stroke clients. Please note that the Southeastern Ontario CNS Card must be ordered from lisa.ware@kingstonhsc.ca.

Dysphagia Screening, Monitoring & Management

Monitoring for Dysphagia Post Stroke Using the Screening Tool for Acute Neurological Dysphagia (STAND): Case Study Video

The following case studies demonstrate the importance of screening, monitoring and managing patients following a stroke for swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia.

Module 1: Management of Dysphagia in Acute Stroke - Brockville General Hospital

In this online learning module you will learn the importance of screening stroke survivors for swallowing difficulties known as dysphagia and how to monitor and manage patients following a stroke for dysphagia.

Module 2: Dysphagia Screening Tool: STAND - Brockville General Hospital

In this online learning module you will learn how to perform a dysphagia screen using the "Screening Tool for Acute Neurological Dysphagia" also known as the STAND. At Brockville General Hospital, to complete this learning to be able to perform the STAND you will have to complete online learning modules 1 and 2 and then perform 1 return demonstration and 2 bedside patient demonstration with the SLP or a Dysphagia Screening Champion.

Risks of Swallowing Problems after Stroke:  ICES Research Video Series (Moira Kapral) 

About 50% patients who have recently had a stroke will experience dysphagia (swallowing problems) which can in turn lead to pneumonia, disability, and even death. That's why guidelines recommend that swallowing tests be conducted in all stroke patients within the first 72 hours after stroke, before taking any food or liquid by mouth.
It was found that 1 in 5 stroke patients were not given swallowing tests, particularly if the stroke was mild, even though all patients who experience stroke (whether severe or mild) are at risk of swallowing problems. They say that all care providers need to be aware of the importance of swallowing tests, since failed tests or missed diagnoses put patients at very high risk of disability, pneumonia and death.

AlphaFIM

AlphaFIM - Southeastern Ontario

For more information relating to AlphaFIM, please contact your Regional AlphaFIM(R) lead:

Natalie Aitken, MSW/RSW
Regional Stroke Rehabilitation Coordinator

Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario
613-583-5968
natalie.aitken@kingstonhsc.ca