Abstract TP453: Patient Stroke Education: Personal Modifiable Risk Factors

Abstract

Objective: To improve stroke education by focusing on identification and management of personal modifiable risk factors, through creating a teaching tool for our stroke patient population and those at risk for stroke. Background: One of the challenges facing those involved in stroke care is improving patient understanding of their personal risk factors and reducing their chance of having another stroke. Our Stroke program recognized that some stroke patients were unable to identify their modifiable risk factors during the stroke discharge follow up calls. 2100 staff initiated a nurse-led process on stroke education. With implementation of an interactive teaching tool developed by the staff, the goal is for stroke patients to identify and provide teach back on recognition and response to stroke signs and symptoms as well as their modifiable stroke risk factors Methods: A teaching card was created (adapted from American Heart Association and American Stroke Association), for the nurse to review and educate the patient on stroke recognition and response, identifying and managing their modifiable risk factors. A unit wide audit was conducted at time of discharge. Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act method and the stroke program discharge callback process, the stroke program and the unit staff continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the stroke education card. Results: Starting in 2018 when the teaching tool card was implemented, 2100 Stroke Discharges responses on Stroke Recognition and Response has increased to 100% for the first 3 months of year. More importantly, in the first quarter of 2018, 2100 Stroke Discharges have been able to identify their personal modifiable risk factors. Conclusions: The results of this project suggest that use of this teaching tool can be beneficial on knowledge retention and understanding of education provided on stroke recognition, response, and identification and management of their personal modifiable stroke risk factors.