Monthly archive

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

The Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario is currently completing a community consultation. The feedback collected from this consultation will build on previous consultations and be used to guide community stroke care in the future. An example of how this information is utilized to improve community stroke care is the creation of stroke support groups in Southeastern Ontario following the first ever community consultation.

We are excited to share that a new resource is now available for healthcare providers working with stroke in the community and long-term care setting! Smart Tips for Stroke Care is a collection of 15 fact sheets that are quick and easy to navigate. These fact sheets cover a range of topics related to stroke and smart tips for how to care for a person with stroke.

We know that exercise provides many benefits including reducing risk factors for having a stroke. The Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations state that most individuals that are medically stable should start an exercise program after having a stroke and recommends at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. Stroke-specific exercise programs are designed specifically to meet the needs of persons with stroke.

Welcoming Corrie Hall to our Acute and Regional Stroke team!

Jennifer Holliday, KHSC Stroke Specialist Case Manager will be moving to a management role on Kidd 4 as of Feb 20th. We are very grateful to Jen for her leadership and support on the stroke team over the past few years and wish her the very best in her new role

Check out the updated Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations for Acute Care. Stroke team discussions across the South East are already underway about potential changes with our current clinical hyperacute and acute stroke processes. One recent change at the KHSC-KGH site was the implementation of tenecteplase (TNK) instead of alteplase (tPA) for eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke. Use of TNK as an alternative for IV thrombolysis was launched on September 1st. The team described the change as “fairly seamless” and “going well.” 

Good news was received from Accreditation Canada on January 20th: for the fourth time, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) achieved the National Stroke Distinction Award for Acute Stroke Services! KHSC was commended for its many strengths in the delivery of stroke care and prevention, including strong leadership support and a strong dedicated and knowledgeable interprofessional team providing the best care for patients.

The Community Stroke Support Services: Southeastern Ontario Annual Report and Infographic have been released. This report is produced annually in partnership with the Community Support Agencies involved in the delivery of Stroke Support Services: Community Care for South Hastings (HPE), VON – Greater Kingston Area (KFLA) and Community and Primary Health Care (LLG).

The Community Stroke Rehabilitation Program (CSRP) 2021-22 Annual Report and Infographic have been released jointly by Home and Community Care Support Services and the Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario.