Stroke Services NSW - Network Achievements 2008
- An extensive network of allied health, medical and nursing professionals has developed across metropolitan Sydney, NSW and Australia which facilitates the sharing of information, assists with the development of policies and provides the infrastructure for conducting research. Two notable projects are:
- the Quality in Acute Stroke Care Project supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council grant
- the Safer Systems Saving Lives (SSSL) Project: Warfarin Management in Acute Stroke Patients, Liverpool Hospital
- The Towards a Safer Culture Online clinical decision making and data collection tool provides real time data and feedback to stroke clinicians. A reduction in the number of urinary tract infections, occasions of aspiration pneumonia and mortality, has resulted.
- Acute Stroke Units have participated in the Stroke Unit Audit Program in conjunction with the National Stroke Research Institute. Audit results (Dec 2003 - Dec 2007) were very positive:
- Access to specialised stroke care has increased and more stroke patients have had the benefit of care by dedicated multi-disciplinary stroke teams.
- Research indicates that patients who access specialised stroke care have lower rates of unplanned hospital re-admission, fewer medical complications and are more independent on discharge.
- Provision of 46 scholarships with a total value of $25,500 for NSW stroke allied health and nursing clinicians to attend Stroke 2008.
- Through clinical collaboration, the Network has developed high standards for patient care, including common assessment and treatment protocols (eg see National Clinical Guidelines for Acute Stroke Management and Order Form)
- Strong links have been forged with consumer organisations and are developing with rural and regional stroke services and those in the ACT and New Zealand.
This web page is managed and authorised by Greater Metropolitan Clinical Taskforce. Last updated: 16 March, 2009
