“The entire region is to be congratulated on the stroke care improvements seen in each sector of care; every indicator showed positive change in our regional report!” Dr. Al Jin, Stroke Neurologist and Medical Director, Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario.
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An Ontario Secondary Stroke Prevention Task Group has been gathering and developing resources to further support Stroke Prevention Clinic (SPC) efforts to implement the Ontario SPC Core Elements. The group reviewed the SPCs’ Core Elements self-assessment summary to look for unaddressed gaps and listed them in a 2020 survey circulated to SPCs across Ontario.
“I’m learning how to talk” and “she can communicate and I can understand” were two comments voiced by participants of Aphasia Supportive Conversation Groups in the Lanark, Leeds and Grenville area. These groups resumed in Perth and their success has led to a second group in Brockville.
You may have seen the Ministry of Health announcement that came out April 12th Ontario Building a Stronger, More Resilient Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Program. Our Stroke Network was so pleased to see this new emphasis on home-based and outpatient Community Stroke Rehabilitation Services. The announcement noted that the Ontario government is investing up to $5 million to establish a new, comprehensive community post-stroke rehabilitation program for adult stroke patients of all ages
Transitioning from hospital to community is recognized as a challenging time for individuals who have experienced a stroke and their families. Melissa Roblin, Stroke Resource Nurse, Quinte Health Care states " Leaving hospital brings forward both good and bad stress. To alleviate some this stress, we have found it helps to introduce patients and families to our partners in the community prior to discharge. Whether it be an in person meeting with a home and community care OT or a virtual visit with the stroke service coordinator with community care, these introductions help our patients feel more comfortable transitioning back to the community"
The Primary Care and Stroke Prevention Clinic CME held virtually February 16th 2022 was well-received with 71 health care providers attending from across Southeastern Ontario. Participants learned more about current stroke prevention best practices, stroke prevention medications, and stroke risk factors such as cancer and recreational drug use.
The Integrated Stroke Unit at Brockville General (BrGH) opened on October 12th, 2022. An ISU Steering Committee including front line clinicians and patient experience advisors collaboratively planned and guided this approach to care.
Despite the struggles of the pandemic, 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.
The results are in: a new Fast Track rehabilitation referral process is a sustained success (even through COVID challenges)! Kingston Health Sciences Centre and Providence Care Hospital have worked together to enable rehab-ready stroke patients who meet Fast Track criteria to move to rehab quickly. Key to success was the quality improvement approach used, where stroke teams identified process changes and collaborated regularly on implementation.
Care providers in Southeastern Ontario recognize the numerous health benefits associated with stroke-specific community-based exercise programs. The Canadian Stroke Community-based Exercise Recommendations have been recently updated and include current evidence for exercise providers to plan and implement their programs.
On behalf of the team at PSFDH, we would like to take a moment to congratulate Tracy Thorne as the successful candidate for the Clinic Nurse Role within our Vascular Protection Clinic (VPC).
On behalf of the QHC team please join us in welcoming Isobel Manzer to the position of QHC District Stroke Coordinator. Isobel is an Allied Health Professional, with clinical background as an Audiologist, and graduate certificates in Project Management and Health Services Administration.