Backus receives stroke center designation
PrintAs they do every week, Backus team members came together for stroke rounds Thursday in the E-3 conference room. 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 official letter came on Wednesday.
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, thanked E-3 staff, Rehabilitation Services, the Nurse Residents, Rehabilitation Services and Dr. Alessi for all their hard work.
"This was such a collaborative effort between all the different disciplines," Ms. Long said following stroke rounds. "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.
"You all did a great job," Dr. Alessi told the group. "I think the DPH was overwhelmed by what we have been able to accomplish in such a short period of time. I really want to thank you all. This has been a labor of love working with all of you, and we learn something new every week."
Dr. Alessi added that by improving stroke care, it not only helps improve quality but also helps with the bottom line. By reaching stroke patients early, with treatment and education, outcomes improve and they 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. The nurse residents give a presentation each month - on Thursday it was about controversy over whether to lower patient blood pressure levels following stroke and what the Backus protocols are.
To illustrate how everyone plays a role in care, Ms. Arpin pointed out that Environmental Services attended one week to discuss room layout for stroke patients.
"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."
Joan Montgomery, RN, Clinical Director of E-3, praised everyone for their enthusiasm for the program.
"We continue to grow and expand our knowledge base and seek more information on how to better care for our patients," she said. "All of you have done a tremendous job. I think we have a great team."
The 11 standards of care assessed by DPH were adapted from the American Stroke Association and the Brain Attack Coalition Guidelines.
Ms. Long said the next step is to seek national stroke center accreditation from the Joint Commission, which could occur anytime between now and March.
Meanwhile, staff will continue its efforts to improve stroke care. That was evident following stroke rounds Thursday, when they went to the patients' bedside armed with information they had learned by talking to one another. After visiting with the patients, they were also able to put together a cohesive, multi-disciplinary plan for recovery.