Backus receives stroke center designation
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As they do every week, team members came together for stroke rounds recently in Backus Hospital's stroke unit. The nurses, physicians, rehabilitation staff and other clinicians talked about patients, educated one another on the latest stroke protocols and visited patients at the bedside.
But the kickoff to this meeting was a little different-it was time to celebrate. Anthony Alessi,MD,Medical Director of the Stroke Center, announced that months of hard work had paid off and the state Department of Public Health (DPH) has designated Backus Hospital as Primary Stroke Center.
The designation means Backus offers rapid and comprehensive stroke care for patients, while at the same time offering stroke education to improve outcomes and limit the number of strokes.
"This designation is all about teamwork, a commitment to our patients and the community that we serve," said Dave Whitehead, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We talk a lot about patient-centered care, teamwork, quality and safety-this is a great example of putting those words into action. I want to thank everyone involved in this effort. This is a great moment for Backus."
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Connecticut and a major cause of disability.
Karen Long, RN, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, said the hard work by staff will benefit patients.
"This was such a collaborative effort between all the different disciplines,"Ms. Long said. "That's what makes this so special. Everyone embraced it and working together they have actually changed practice and improved the care we give to stroke patients."
To be a stroke center, hospitals must demonstrate they have the necessary infrastructure, staffing and services to stabilize and treat most stroke patients.
Dr. Alessi added that by improving stroke care, it not only helps improve quality but also helps with efficiency and quality of life. By reaching stroke patients early, with treatment and education, outcomes improve and patients are hospitalized for less time.
Cindy Arpin, RN, Stroke Program Coordinator, said the multidisciplinary team meets weekly on the E-3 stroke unit to discuss cases as well as processes to continually improve stroke care. The team consists of physicians, floor nurses, nurse educators, rehabilitation specialists, pharmacists and dietitians.
"I would like to thank everyone who worked with Dr. Alessi and I to achieve this important recognition as a Primary Stroke Center,"Ms. Arpin said. "National studies, and in fact our own data, show that patients do better when cared for in a Stroke Center by a dedicated multidisciplinary stroke team. I'm very proud to be a member of this team."
That was evident following stroke rounds last month, when they went to the patients' bedside armed with information they had learned by talking to one another. After visiting with the patient, they were also able to put together cohesive, multi-disciplinary plan for recovery.