On November 22, 2023- the Stroke Network held a local engagement and education session with physicians and other primary care providers in the Brockville area. The goal of this event was to share information about primary and secondary stroke prevention, and to host a discussion about challenges and opportunities that exist specific to Leeds and Grenville counties
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“Getting to the stroke unit made all the difference- I knew I could relax a bit knowing [family member] was well cared for.”
A person who experiences a stroke is more likely to survive, recover, and return home when early stroke care is provided by a specialized team in an Acute Stroke Unit. Ontario Health - CorHealth Ontario has been leading a provincial project on Stroke Unit Care. An Ontario Stroke Unit Definition was released in June 2023 outlining ten key components of acute stroke unit care.
“We all work together to make things better” ~Stroke Survivor
The Community Stroke Support Services: Southeastern Ontario Annual Report for 2022-23 and the 2023 Consultation Report, What We Heard: Enhancing Individualized Community Stroke Services are now complete. Outstanding and innovative work to support stroke survivors and their families/caregivers across the region has been demonstrated over the past year.
The 2022-23 Community Stroke Rehab Program (CSRP) Annual Report has been released. The annual report and infographic highlight important components the in-home rehab therapy program provided in the southeast region. Patients across the southeast have been able to receive in-home stroke rehab therapy since the program was established in 2009. This year’s report included information on how in-home therapy providers have introduced rehab assistants into their staffing model to allow for a greater intensity of therapy visits where appropriate.
We are pleased to announce that Sandra Liu was the successful applicant in the recent selection of Regional Stroke Community and Long Term Care Coordinator, Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario. Sandra will begin her work in the role on Tuesday Jan 9th when she can be reached at Sandra.liu@kingstonhsc.ca; phone 613-549-6666 ext 6867.
To Stroke Network of SEO Partners:
As many of you may know Colleen Murphy, RN, BScN, MHS, Regional Stroke Best Practice Coordinator, will be retiring on Dec 8th 2023. Colleen joined our program in January 2010 and has worked tirelessly to build services and enable stroke best practice across our region. Colleen was also seconded part time to OH-CorHealth Ontario where she contributed to stroke prevention initiatives with a focus in vascular health. Colleen effectively built strong relationships amongst the stroke teams and prevention clinics across our region encouraging a collaborative context for care improvement and better patient outcomes in stroke prevention and care.
The Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario recently completed a community consultation. The goal of this consultation was to build on the work that was done in previous consultations, identify priority areas of change and continue to collaborate with stroke survivors and their caregivers. The consultation process was developed in collaboration with the Community Reintegration Leadership team (CRLT) which is a patient advisory group that consists of persons with stroke, caregivers and healthcare providers working in community stroke care. Feedback was collected through stroke support groups, a Qualtrics survey and interactive webinars.
Quinte Health's stroke program has achieved the prestigious Distinction in Stroke Services, Acute and Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation, through Accreditation Canada. This remarkable recognition showcases the team’s national leadership and unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional stroke care.
“The post-stroke physiotherapy and occupational therapy care following my release from hospital was very good, as well as the ongoing care that I received from my physiatrist.” Stroke Survivor – SNSEO Community Support Services Consultation, 2023
As a part of a multi-year initiative to establish a new, comprehensive community stroke rehabilitation program in Ontario, Ontario Health - CorHealth partnered with Heart & Stroke to conduct a current state assessment of Community Stroke Rehab services. This assessment was comprised of program surveys and engagement sessions with providers and people with lived experience. The aim was to identify program limitations and critical resources needed. Planning has begun to work with local programs in the South East to identify quality improvement initiatives that will help to address priority gaps identified in our region.
Despite the struggles of the past few years, the performance of our stroke system continues to be strong. This is due to the ongoing dedication, compassion, and hard work of everyone working in stroke care in our region, across the full continuum of care. Thank you to all who help our joint vision to become a reality: “Fewer strokes, Better outcomes”.
Stroke Awareness Month is in June and there are many events going on at a National, Regional and Local level