Patient’s experiences after stroke.
Cardiovascular accident (CVA) or stroke is defined by the World Health Organization as a clinical syndrome consisting of ‘rapidly developing clinical signs of focal (at times global) disturbance of cerebral function, lasting more than 24 hours or leading to death with no apparent cause other than that of vascular origin’. The effects on the person who has sustained a stroke are life – changing in that their physical, emotional and cognitive ability can be impaired and can result in possible loss of function. With such a wide range of impact, it is a condition that is best managed by a multidisciplinary team.
Treatment of people with a stroke has changed considerably over the last 10 years in that the earlier thrombolysis is administered the lower the mortality rate. According to Prof Kelly (2016), for thrombolysis to be effective it should be given within 4 hours and 30 minutes of the event occurring. In 2010 a National Stroke Strategy for CVD was launched which has resulted in the doubling of specific stroke units from 9 in 2006 to 18 in 2010.
Patient experience – Resource will be available shortly
TO DO
- What are the major types of stroke?
- What is a FAST assessment?
- What manifestations do people present with – a right – sided stroke and a left- sided stroke?
- Who are the key professionals involved in care?
- Outline the thrombolysis pathway.
- What are the common complications of a stroke?
- What effect does a stroke have on a person and their family?
Further learning:
Irish Heart Foundation (2010) National Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations for the Care of People with Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack. Dublin.
http://www.hse.ie/eng/about/Who/clinical/natclinprog/strokeprogramme/guidelines.pdf
Lutz, B.J., Young, M.E., Cox, K.J., Martz, C. & Creasy, K.R. (2015) The crisis of stroke: experiences of patients and their family caregivers. Topics in stroke rehabilitation.