Abstract TP65: Mastering the Art of Herding Cats: Unraveling the Methods of Effective Communication in a Growing Stroke Program

Abstract

Background: Since becoming a Comprehensive Stroke Center in 2008, our annual stroke patient volume doubled, and intervention volume grew nearly 6-fold. The program achieved multiple milestones over this time, transitioning from a combined ICU-progressive care unit to separate specialized units, and later relocating to a new facility with a dedicated Neuro ICU and two progressive care units. As the program expanded, innovative communication techniques and processes were adopted to accommodate the growing staff and infrastructure. Methods: The development and dissemination of intervention reports to stakeholders from each stroke case heightened awareness of time goals and fostered collaboration. Effective communication was further facilitated through the development of a SharePoint site, newsletter, and electronic handbook. Strategically designed dashboards provided crucial data on volumes, diversion, and treatment times. QR codes were introduced for convenient data and research request access. Moreover, detailed electronic follow-up reports facilitated external collaboration with referring facilities. Results: Embracing electronic communication enhanced information sharing, improving our team’s grasp of program data, outcomes, launches, and outreach initiatives. The monthly newsletter achieved a 60% open rate, contributing to nearly 5,000 SharePoint site visits. Monthly intervention reports to stroke team responders heightened time goal awareness, fostering collaboration, improving documentation, and reducing the need for case delay documentation clarification. Sending an average of 71 follow-up reports monthly to referring hospitals and EMS agencies strengthened external partnerships. Moreover, leveraging social media amplified community outreach for stroke education. Conclusion: We have found electronic communication to be successful for our growing program. To enhance engagement and accommodate diverse learners, we recommend utilizing a range of methods, including visuals, quizzes, and interactive content. Future plans involve expanding communication strategies with emerging techniques and conducting a formal analysis to assess stakeholders' comprehension of shared information in stroke care.