The lived experiences of nurses in one hyper-acute stroke unit

Abstract

Hyper-acute stroke units (HASUs) admit all stroke patients across London. As a novel London stroke model, the integration of thrombolysis in acute ischaemic stroke is an important element of hyper-acute stroke care for patients. In this model, nurses working in a hyper-acute stroke unit are involved in the delivery of thrombolysis treatment. By use of a phenomenological approach, the study investigates the 'lived experiences' of nurses' preparation for their role and explores any factors that affect nurses' participation in thrombolysis treatment. The nurses' roles-which facilitate, support, monitor, anticipate and result in prevention-are central to effective thrombolysis treatment. However, factors such as communication, teamwork, clinical decision, training, staffing and safety affect their thrombolysis roles. Addressing factors that affect nurses' thrombolysis roles could lead to improved communication, collaborative teamwork and better patient outcomes.