The Lasting Impact of Stroke
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Stroke is the leading cause of disability globally. Stroke can happen to anyone at any age. It affects not only the survivors, but family and friends, and communities. The lasting impact of stroke is why the World Stroke Organization designates October 29 as World Stroke Day. 
Bridgepoint's stroke rehabilitation program has been recognized twice with Stroke Distinction, most recently in September 2015. We've checked in with the team to find out what projects and research are currently taking place to better serve our stroke patients.
Improving access for patients with mild strokes
A new ambulatory care interprofessional screening tool developed by the stroke team supports a simplified admission for patients with mild strokes referred directly from acute care. The tool allows us to ensure timely admission into the program. Now, two members of the outpatient stroke interprofessional team complete the screen with patients where they introduce the program, identify at risk patients, and start early goal setting and education.
Building a network for survivors
The Peer Fostering Hope program links our inpatients with stroke survivors. The goal is to connect patients who have just experienced a stroke with an individual who has gone through the stroke rehabilitation process and can speak to what life is like after a stroke. The program is run through Volunteer Services at Sinai Health System, with support from our social work department.
Setting the research agenda
In Winter 2015/2016, Research Scientist Michelle Nelson hosted national think tank at Bridgepoint, funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research. The primary goal was to set a national research agenda for 'complex stroke rehabilitation' and Michelle is in the process of building a network to activate this agenda, including a large number of international collaborations. In addition, Michelle presented two studies that were conducted within our stroke program at the 2016 European Stroke Congress: The Role of Volunteers in Stroke Rehabilitation and Stroke rehabilitation and multimorbidity: Do the guidelines provide enough guidance? The study focused on the best practice recommendations was recently published in a special issue of Healthcare Quarterly focused on multimorbidity.
Want to learn more about Bridgepoint's stroke program? Here are five fast facts:
4 |
The number of stroke programs Bridgepoint offers: high-intensity and reconditioning rehabilitation, specialized medical and complex care, and outpatient rehabilitation. |
32.8 days |
The average length of stay on our inpatient stroke unit. |
6 |
Number of sessions in our stroke education series for patients and families. |
66% |
Of our troke outpatients referred from our inpatient program. |
37.5 |
The average change in functional scores from admission to discharge. |
