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FALL 2007 |
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H
E A L T H P R O M O T I O N
Family
physicians have key role in stroke strategy
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Stock Photo |
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In 2005, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Newfoundland
and Labrador and the Canadian Stroke Strategy joined forces to look at
an organized system of stroke care.
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By Leigh Thorne |
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Stroke can happen to anyone, at any
time and at any age. Yet stroke is largely preventable and
treatable.
In 2005, the
Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador and the
Canadian
Stroke Strategy joined forces to look at an organized system of
stroke care. To this end, a Provincial Advisory Committee was formed,
extensive stakeholder consultations took place and the Newfoundland and
Labrador Integrated Stroke Strategy was developed in 2006, in
partnership with the Department of Health and Community Services. The
stroke strategy contains 15 key recommendations regarding primary and
secondary stroke prevention; emergency/acute care management;
rehabilitation and community re-engagement; and, measuring/monitoring
Key recommendations of particular interest
to family practitioners are the need to diagnose and more effectively
treat hypertension, a leading risk factor for stroke, and the need to
provide secondary prevention education to those who have had a transient
ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke within the past two years.
Currently, work is well under way to
implement the strategy and to improve stroke care throughout our
province. Each regional health authority is customizing resources to
meet its unique population and geographic needs. For example, Western
Health has created the provinces first designated stroke unit at
Western Memorial Hospital in Corner Brook. Central and Labrador/Grenfell
are establishing regional action committees to implement the strategy,
with a closer look at telehealth and meeting rehabilitation needs in
their areas. The medicine program of Eastern Health has appointed a
stroke program coordinator to facilitate enhanced stroke care, including
initiatives such as t-PA protocols that can be utilized throughout the
province.
The document, Canadian Best Practice
Recommendations for Stroke Care: 2006, is available
online (PDF).
It provides evidence-based guidelines as we work together to implement
the Newfoundland and Labrador Integrated Stroke Strategy. The Heart and
Stroke Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador has additional
information regarding the strategy, stroke warning signs and stroke
care. Please check
online or call the office at (709) 753-8521.
Leigh Thorne is the provincial stroke
navigator with the Canadian Stroke Strategy and the Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.
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