Abstract 139: Inpatient Nursing Stroke Champions Improve Stroke Education Retention at 7 Days and 90 Days Post Discharge

Abstract

Background: Patients with deficient stroke knowledge characteristically present to the hospital outside the treatment window. Providing effective inpatient stroke education motivates patients to change their modifiable risk factors, hence reducing the threat of a secondary stroke. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to validate the effectiveness of the American Heart Association’s Get with the Guidelines Stroke Champion (SC) Program. Inpatient Nursing SC (INSC) endeavored to optimize patients’ retention of stroke education. This study is one of the first to provide data supporting the use of INSC to improve stroke education retention post discharge. Methods: The INSC initiative was implemented in 2017. Data was compared 6 months pre and post intervention. INSC conducted chart reviews, provided peer to peer feedback, implemented “1 Learner 1 Topic” education theme per shift, and ensured education throughout the care continuum. The aggregate data was collected from 7day survey calls (n=340) and stroke-specific HCAHPS topbox survey scores completed by the patient at 90 days post discharge (n=155). Statistical analysis was performed using a chi-squared test. Results: At 7 days, more patients were able to recall stroke risk factors and prevention (54% pre vs. 85% post intervention; p<0.003), and stroke symptoms (54% pre vs. 95% post; p<0.003). At their 90day HCAHPS survey, more patients were able to recall the stroke risk factors and prevention (52% pre vs. 67% post intervention; p<0.05) and stroke symptoms (61% pre vs. 71% post; p=0.003). A trend towards more patients recalling the knowledge and diagnosis of their stroke based on their HCAHPS was seen (59% pre vs. 66% post intervention; p=0.07). Conclusions: Implementation of an INSC can improve patients’ retention of stroke symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and cause at 7 days and 90 days post discharge.