Care Of Stroke Patients Research Articles

The Effect of Interventions on Quality of Life, Depression, and the Burden of Care of Stroke Patients and Their Caregivers: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The impact of stroke is a global concern for health policymakers. A large proportion of survivors require long-term support from family members who are typically unprepared for their caregiving duties. This study determined the effect of different interventions on quality of life (QoL), depression, and the burden of care of stroke patients and their caregivers. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted from 2000 up to May 2023. Study inclusion criteria were as follows: individuals serving as informal caregivers for stroke survivors 18 years and older, devoting a significant portion of their time to the care of such survivors; involvement in psychoeducational, informational, supportive, psychosocial, or combined interventions; exposure to standard or conventional care practices; evaluation of outcomes relating to the QoL for stroke caregivers, depression, caregiver burden, and levels of stroke survivors; and consideration of randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies. RESULTS: Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized in this systematic review. Details of intervention were divided into 3 groups: educational and psychoeducational programs, multidisciplinary approaches, and support and caregiver skill-building programs; 12 studies focused on different interventions affecting the QoL, 23 studies focused on the burden of stroke caregivers, and 20 studies focused on depression of stroke patients and their caregivers. CONCLUSION: The desired effectiveness of particular interventions was evident in the results, although conflicting findings have emerged. The study emphasizes the need for well-structured preliminary studies for each intervention type. More studies on interventions and outcomes might lead secondary researchers to conduct analyses to ensure the certainty of results.

Mobile stroke units based on rural emergency medical stations for pre-hospital intravenous thrombolysis of stroke in remote areas

ABSTRACT Objectives To explore a novel model of mobile stroke units (MSUs) integrated with rural emergency medical stations for pre-hospital care of stroke patients in remote areas. Methods We used MSUs + Ambulance mode, where both the MSUs and conventional ambulances are sent to the patient’s location. The conventional ambulance coordinates with the MSUs to choose the fastest route to meet and transfer the patient at the point along the way. We collected data from 149 patients from March 2022 to April 2023, including National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (on admission, 24 hours, day 7), 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores, and other clinical variables. We performed propensity score matching (PSM) to balance the potential confounding variables between groups. Results We found that the MSUs + Ambulance mode (OR = 12.507, 95% confidence interval [CI] [3.633, 43.061], p < 0.001) and admission NIHSS score (OR = 0.583, 95% CI [0.493, 0.690], p < 0.001) were independent prognostic risk factors for stroke patients. The MSUs + Ambulance mode reduced NIHSS scores 7 days prior to admission (OR = 0.679, 95% CI [0.563, 0.819], p < 0.001). After PSM, patients who received MSUs + Ambulance mode had a better prognosis (χ2 = 9.573, p = 0.004), as well as a lower mRS score at 90 days (Z = -3.371, p = 0.001). Conclusions MSUs integrated with rural emergency medical stations show the feasibility and potential benefits of pre-hospital intravenous thrombolysis for stroke patients in geographically distant regions.

Factors Predicting the Ability to Perform Activities of Daily Living among Stroke Patients in Rural Community Southern Thailand.

The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) among post-stroke patients participating in outpatient physical rehabilitation programmes in community hospital in southern Thailand. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 258 patients diagnosed with stroke through the HOSxP programme from 2018 to 2022. Patients' ADL were assessed using the Barthel Index measurement. Characteristics were described by percentages and medians (IOR). Associations of categorical variables were examined using the chi-squared test, and multiple logistic regressions were employed to identify factors predicting Barthel Index scores among stroke patients. Patients' capacity levels were categorised based on Barthel Index scores and rehabilitation criteria, and unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (OR/AOR) were presented, with a significance level of 0.05. Of the 258 stroke patients, 59.30% were male, with a median age of 67 years old. Significant differences in Barthel Index scores were found with respect to gender, age, marital status, comorbidities and duration of rehabilitation (P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that male stroke patients (AOR = 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10, 3.26), individuals with single marital status (AOR = 4.62; 95% CI: 1.58, 13.49), absence of comorbidities (AOR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.98), and rehabilitation duration of less than five days (AOR = 4.38; 95% CI: 2.14, 8.96) were more likely to achieve independence in ADL with higher Barthel Index scores (P < 0.05). Several factors contribute to the effective planning of care and rehabilitation for stroke patients in rural area. Stroke rehabilitation programmes in this region should consider various elements, including patient characteristics, family involvement and clinical factors, to improve ADL performance.

Telemedical strategies for improving systolic blood pressure control in secondary prevention of cerebrovascular events-a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundStroke remains the second leading cause of death worldwide, with a 20 % risk of recurrence within 5 years. Preventing secondary stroke events is crucial for patient management. Kraft et al. highlighted the potential of telemedicine in secondary prevention, but noted the need for further research. Our study incorporates recent trials to provide an updated analysis of telemedical strategies in stroke prevention. MethodsWe reviewed and analyzed RCTs and observational studies from PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov (May 19, 2016 - March 20, 2024) comparing telephone-based follow-up to standard care in stroke patients. The meta-analysis focused on SBP changes within 12 months. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies, sourced from PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov (May 19, 2016 – March 20, 2024). We compared telephone-based follow-up to standard care in stroke patients, and the primary outcome was systolic blood pressure (SBP) changes within 12 months. ResultsOur systematic review included data from 21,904 patients. The meta-analysis focused on studies with comparable systolic blood pressure (SBP) data. It involved 3,501 individuals in the control group and 3,485 in the experimental group. The analysis revealed a significant reduction in SBP with telemedicine strategies for secondary stroke prevention, with a p-value of 0.003. Additionally, a systemic review of the included studies demonstrated that these strategies improved medication adherence, lifestyle habits, and physical performance, positively correlating with better health outcomes and reduced mortality risk. ConclusionWith the inclusion of recent clinical trials, our updated systematic review and meta-analysis concludes that telemedicine supports secondary prevention in cerebrovascular diseases, particularly blood pressure control. While telemedicine may have a role in reducing recurrent stroke risk, we believe further studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to validate the role of telemedical strategies in reducing recurrence rates.

Effectiveness of integrated care models for stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Given that stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, there is an urgent need for a coordinated healthcare approach to mitigate its effects. The objectives of this study were to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of stroke integrated care models and develop recommendations for a representative model. A systematic review and meta-analysis. The literature search identified randomized controlled trials comparing integrated care models with standard care for stroke patients. The included studies followed PICOs inclusion criteria. The qualitative analysis included creating a flowchart for the literature screening process, and tables detailing the basic characteristics of the included studies, the adherence to the ten principles and the results of the quality assessments. Subsequently, quantitative meta-analytical procedures were conducted to statistically pool the data and quantify the effects of the integrated care models on stroke patients' health-related quality of life, activities of daily living, and depression. The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), China Biology Medicine Disc (CBMDISC), Cochrane Library, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, and Clinical Trials were searched from inception to March 13, 2024. Of the 2547 obtained articles, 19 were systematically reviewed and 15 were included in the meta-analysis. The integrated care models enhanced stroke patients' health-related quality of life, ability to perform activities of daily living, and reduced depression. Adherence to the 10 principles varied: comprehensive services, patient focus, and standardized care delivery had strong implementation, while gaps were noted in geographic coverage, information systems, governance structures, and financial management. Integrated care models improve outcomes for stroke patients and adherence to the 10 principles is vital for their implementation success. This study's findings call for a more standardized approach to implementing integrated care models, emphasizing the need for integrated services, patient-centred care, and interdisciplinary collaboration, while also addressing the identified gaps in terms of integration efforts. This study provides evidence-based recommendations on the most effective integrated care approaches for stroke patients, potentially leading to better patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and improved quality of life.

HUBUNGAN ANTARA PENGETAHUAN KELUARGA DAN DUKUNGAN KELUARGA DENGAN KEJADIAN STROKE PADA LANSIA

ABSTRACT Stroke is a cerebrovascular disease (brain blood vessels) which is characterized by impaired brain function due to damage or death of brain tissue due to reduced or blocked blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Objective: to determine the relationship between family knowledge and family support and the incidence of stroke in the elderly. This type of research uses an analytical survey method with a cross sectional approach. The sample in From the results of the analysis it was found that there was a significant relationship between this study amounting to 36 people using accidental sampling technique. From the results of the analysis it was found that there was a significant relationship between Family Knowledge (ρ-value=0.031), and family support (ρ-value=0.040), and the incidence of stroke in the elderly. Suggestion: provide health education for families regarding stroke, treatment, rehabilitation and care of stroke patients at home. Nurses are also expected to be able to help patients and families in increasing the patient's motivation to recover.

Hospital overcrowding and care of stroke patients: Irish national audit of stroke

IntroductionHospital overcrowding where patient admissions exceed capacity is associated with worse outcomes in Emergency Department. Developments in emergency stroke care have been associated with improvements in stroke outcome but are dependent on effective, organised care. We examined if overcrowding in the hospital system was associated with negative changes in stroke outcome.MethodsData on overcrowding were obtained from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) ‘Trolley Count’ database recording the number of patients cared for on trolleys/chairs in all acute hospitals each midnight. These were compared with quarterly data from the Irish National Audit of Stroke from 2013 to 2021 inclusive. Variables analysed were inpatient mortality rate, thrombolysis rate for ischaemic stroke, median door to needle time and median length of stay.Results579449 patient episodes were recorded by Trolley Watch over the period, (Quarterly Median 16719.5, range 3389–27015). Average Quarterly Thrombolysis rate was 11.3% (sd 1.3%) Median Quarterly Inpatient Mortality rate was 11.8% (Range 8.9-14.0%). Median Quarterly Length of stay was 9 days (8–11 days). Median quarterly door to needle was 65 min (45–80 min). Q1 was typically the worst for overcrowding with on average 19777 incidences (sd 4786). This was significantly higher than for Q2 (mean 13540 (sd 4785) p = 0.005 t-test) and for Q3 (mean 14542 (sd 4753) p = 0.03). No significant correlation was found between quarterly Trolley watch episodes and inpatient mortality (r = 0.084, p = 0.63), median length of stay r=-0.15, p = 0.37) or thrombolysis rate (r = 0.089 p = 0.61). There was an unexpected significant negative correlation between trolley watch data and median door to needle time (r=-0.36, p = 0.03).ConclusionDespite increasing hospital overcrowding, stroke services still managed to preserve standard of care. We could find no association between levels of overcrowding and deterioration in selected indices of patient care.

The effect of family-supportive therapy on the burden of caregivers and Activities of Daily Living among stroke patients

The role of family members in providing care for stroke patients at home is associated with heightened stress and burden on caregivers. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effect of family-supportive therapy on the burden of caregivers and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) among stroke patients.A quasi-experimental method was used with a pre-test and post-test control group. The intervention of family-supportive therapy was given to the treatment group, while the control group received home visits. Samples of 40 caregivers in two primary health care centers in Surabaya were recruited using a multi-stage sampling method. The variables were the burden of caregivers and ADL of stroke patients, while Zarit Burden's Interview Schedule and Katz Index of Independence in ADL were used as instruments. Data analysis was carried out using a Paired t-test and a Manova test.The results showed that the burden of caregivers in the treatment group decreased, but there was a re-increase after 2 weeks of therapy, and the burden in the control group also decreased. ADL of stroke patients in the treatment group increased and tended to persist up to 2 weeks after therapy, while the value in the control group decreased. Furthermore, family-supportive therapy did not have a significant effect on the burden of caregivers (p-value 0.12) and ADL (p-value 0.21). To address this challenge, modifying services through the implementation of community health programs, individual health efforts for stroke patients in the hospital and at home, group services for families providing primary health care, and home visits could be a comprehensive effort.The study found that family-supportive therapy and health education through home visits reduced caregiver burden.

The Influence of Family Centered Care Against Quality Life of Stroke Patient at Home in Tomohon City Indonesia

Stroke is a neurological condition that can lead to death, physical and mental impairment, and even premature death. It is important to understand the changes that occur in the early stages of a stroke as they contribute to cell damage at the time of the stroke. It is vital to undertake self-intervention that is expected to improve healing, quality of life, hospitalization time, and stroke mortality.. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of family centered care against quality life of stroke patient at home in Tomohon City, Indonesia. The method used was pre-experimental with a pre-post test design with a sample of 150 patients stroke using the Wilcoxon test. The sampling technique uses non-probability. The instruments were used questionaire about family care centered for patient stroke. The research results obtained a value of p = 0.001 &lt; α = 0.05, stating that there was an influence of family centered care on stroke patient care at home in Tomohon City. The conclusion in this study is that level of family centered care on stroke patient care must be increase at home in Tomohon City to reducing level of stress. It is because family centered care on stroke patient increase quality of life patient stroke.

Faktor Faktor Resiko Kejadian Stroke Berbasis Stroke Risk ScoreCard

Stroke is a fuctional disorder tahat manifest as nerve paralysis, resulting from either an obstruction of blood flow to the brain due to a lock of oxygen or a cessation of blood supply due to blockage or bleeding. The risk factors are blood pressure, cholesterol, history of diabetes mellitus, history of smooking, atrial fibrillation, body mass index, physical activity, and family history of stroke. This study aims to determine the factors associated with stroke incidence. This typeof researchis descriptive and has a retrospective study design. The sampling technique used was accidental sampling wit a sample size of 60 respondents, where the population was 4355stroke patients. The research results used the stroke risk scorecard (SRSC)measuring tool. The statistical is Chi-square. The research results showed that the majority of respondents were erderly, aged 46-65 tahun years (80,0%), male (50,0%), female (50,0%) and had comorbid hypertension (56,7%). N The Chi-square test revealed several risk factors, including blood pressuare, a history ofdiabetes mellitus,smoking history, atrial fibrilation, BMI, and family history of risk. Menwhile, the results of the multiple linear regression test show that the most dominant variable is physical activity, with a standardized cooefficient betta valueof 0,366. It is hoped that the results of this research can be used as a basis for input for health servise providers to provide comprehensive nursing care for stroke patients.

Advancing stroke patient care: a network meta-analysis of dysphagia screening efficacy and personalization.

The increasing incidence of stroke globally has led to dysphagia becoming one of the most common complications in stroke patients, with significant impacts on patient outcomes. Accurate early screening for dysphagia is crucial to avoid complications and improve patient quality of life. Included studies involved stroke-diagnosed patients assessed for dysphagia using bedside screening tools. Data was sourced from Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL, including publications up to 10 December 2023. The study employed both fixed-effect and random-effects models to analyze sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and Negative Predictive Value (NPV), each with 95% confidence intervals. The random-effects model was particularly utilized due to observed heterogeneity in study data. From 6,979 records, 21 studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 3,314 participants from 10 countries. The analysis included six assessment tools: GUSS, MASA, V-VST, BSST, WST, and DNTA, compared against gold-standard methods VFSS and FEES. GUSS, MASA, and V-VST showed the highest reliability, with sensitivity and specificity rates of 92% and 85% for GUSS, 89% and 83% for MASA, respectively. Heterogeneity among studies was minimal, and publication bias was low, enhancing the credibility of the findings. Our network meta-analysis underscores the effectiveness of GUSS, MASA, and V-VST in dysphagia screening for stroke patients, with high sensitivity and specificity making them suitable for diverse clinical settings. BSST and WST, with lower diagnostic accuracy, require more selective use. Future research should integrate patient-specific outcomes and standardize methodologies to enhance dysphagia screening tools, ultimately improving patient care and reducing complications. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails.

Caregiver burden, hopelessness, and anxiety: Association between sociodemographic and clinical profiles of patients with stroke

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the association between the sociodemographic characteristics of caregivers and patients with stroke, clinical data on stroke, and disability with caregiver burden, hopelessness, and anxiety. Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study included patients with stroke of either sex, aged >18 years. Data were collected between January 2020 and July 2021. Patient demographic included age, sex, stroke type, severity, etiology, topography, treatment, and stroke recurrence. Stroke disability was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale and Barthel Index at 90 days post-discharge. Additionally, caregiver burden, hopelessness, and anxiety were evaluated during patient consultations using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). ResultsWe included 104 patients with stroke and their caregivers. Overall caregiver burden was moderate (ZBI: 24 [25]), with mild hopelessness (BHS: 4 [4]) and minimal to mild anxiety (BAI: 8 [13]). The linear regression model presented in Table 3 showed that female caregivers scored up to 11 points higher on the Zarit Burden Interview (p = 0.011). Additionally, increased patient age was associated with a higher caregiver burden (p = 0.002) on the Zarit Burden Interview. Posterior circulation stroke and total anterior circulation stroke were also associated with higher Zarit Burden Interview scores compared to lacunar stroke (p = 0.017). Age was not associated with caregiver burden in the entire sample. However, an association between age and caregiver burden was found only in the female group. Furthermore, women aged 65 years and older experienced a more severe burden than women aged 18 to 64 years (p<0.001). Stroke disability was not associated with caregiver burden. ConclusionsOlder female caregivers were significantly affected when caring for stroke patients. Total anterior circulation stroke and Posterior circulation stroke increased Zarit Burden Interview scores. However, no association was observed between stroke disability and the caregiver burden.

Understanding the complexity of a stroke care system through functional modelling and analysis

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. Care of stroke patients is both complex and resource-intensive. Understanding this complexity is crucial for improving healthcare delivery. This study aimed to model and analyze the complexity of a stroke care system. Data were gathered through document review and interviews with 17 healthcare professionals in a city in eastern Canada. The Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) was employed to model the stroke care system, identify the sources of variability, and propose solutions to improve the stroke care system. The study identified 73 interconnected functions that constitute a functional model of the stroke care system spanning from preadmission to discharge. The functional model illustrates how stroke patients enter the system, receive treatment, and transition after discharge. The results of this study revealed that 1) staffing ratio, 2) health staff training, 3) scheduling, 4) documentation, and 5) equipment and space are significant sources of variability in the stroke care system. These findings enable healthcare professionals to focus on managing significant changes and enhancing their ability to navigate the complexity of the stroke care effectively.

Assessing Practice Variation of Anesthetic Management for Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Comprehensive Multicenter Survey.

This study explored the current global landscape of periprocedural care of acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). An anonymous, 54-question electronic survey was sent to 354 recipients in hospitals worldwide. The responses were stratified by World Bank country income level into high-income (HICs) and low/middle-income (LMICs) countries. A total of 354 survey invitations were issued. Two hundred twenty-three respondents started the survey, and 87 fully completed surveys were obtained from centers in which anesthesiologists were routinely involved in EVT care (38 in HICs; 49 in LMICs). Respondents from 35 (92.1%) HICs and 14 (28.6%) LMICs reported that their centers performed >50 EVTs annually. Respondents from both HICs and LMICs reported low rates of anesthesiologist involvement in pre-EVT care, though a communication system was in place in 100% of HIC centers and 85.7% of LMIC centers to inform anesthesiologists about potential EVTs. Respondents from 71.1% of HIC centers and 51% of LMIC centers reported following a published guideline during EVT management, though the use of cognitive aids was low in both (28.9% and 24.5% in HICs and LMICs, respectively). Variability in multiple areas of practice, including choice of anesthetic techniques, monitoring and management of physiological variables during EVT, and monitoring during intrahospital transport, were reported. Quality metrics were rarely tracked or reported to the anesthesiology teams. This study demonstrated variability in anesthesiology involvement and in clinical care during and after EVT. Centers may consider routinely involving anesthesiologists in pre-EVT care, using evidence-based recommendations for EVT management, and tracking adherence to published guidelines and other quality metrics.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Increase Dysphagia Compliance in Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to optimize conditions that increase dysphagia compliance after stroke-a measure recognized by The Joint Commission in designating institutions as primary or comprehensive stroke centers and by the American Heart Association that promotes stroke treatment adherence and bestows achievement and quality awards. Failure to meet stroke measures, including medication documentation, may produce poor patient outcomes that directly affect consumer confidence and choice of treatment facility. Stroke patient care requires multidisciplinary team collaboration to manage multiple factors; variations in practice create fallouts that need correction, the absence of which jeopardizes standards for maintaining stroke center designation. PURPOSE: Aims were to determine the nature of dysphagia fallouts in our quaternary academic teaching hospital, assess multidisciplinary workflows and barriers to success, and develop strategies to enhance dysphagia compliance. DESCRIPTION: We used a multidisciplinary approach using James Reason's Swiss cheese model to examine compliance. The clinical nurse specialist interviewed physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), nurses, and informaticists to ascertain discipline-specific success barriers, targeting top issues for each discipline to develop solutions. Unit educators unified their dysphagia reduction strategies; physicians, pharmacists, and informaticists collaborated to clarify standardized medication route orders and to increase electronic health record swallow screen visibility to multidisciplinary users; and SLPs adjusted workflow and documentation. EVALUATION: Outcomes included reinforcing correct nursing charting, pharmacy oral-to-feeding tube conversion order revision, optimization of delivery and awareness of medication routes, electronic health record system enhancements, and SLPs aligning documentation with nursing medication administration. The multidisciplinary approach proved successful and increased dysphagia compliance by 9.6% ( P = .001). These outcomes contributed to a successful The Joint Commission survey, redesignation as a comprehensive stroke center, and American Heart Association Gold Plus achievement award.

Nursing care for acute stroke patients

Nursing care for acute stroke patients

Peningkatan Kualitas Hidup Pasien Stroke melalui Edukasi Terapi Wicara dan Stroke Home Care

Common problems experienced by stroke patients include brain disorders, resulting in limb weakness and impaired focal nerve function, including speech disorders. The family plays a crucial role in the patient's rehabilitation process; therefore, they need to enhance their understanding of speech therapy and home care for stroke patients. This community service aims to increase family knowledge regarding speech therapy and home care. Methods employed in this service include lectures, question-and-answer sessions, and interactive discussions. Participants consisted of 23 families of stroke patients treated at Garut Hospital. The results of this service demonstrated that health education effectively increased participants' knowledge about speech therapy and home care for stroke patients. Prior to the service, 17.4% had good knowledge, with an average score of 68.39. After participating in the service, 100% of participants demonstrated good knowledge, with the average score increasing to 85.43. The study found a significant positive effect of education on speech therapy and home care knowledge among participants, with a p-value of 0.001.

SOFIA Aspiration System as first-line Technique (SOFAST): a prospective, multicenter study to assess the efficacy and safety of the 6 French SOFIA Flow Plus aspiration catheter for endovascular stroke thrombectomy

BackgroundMechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the standard of care for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). The SOFAST study collected clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy...

Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on oral health care in acute stroke patients: a qualitative study

BackgroundStroke is a major public health problem, with the disabilities of the patients increasing their risk of poor oral health. Currently, in Ghana and Nigeria, no guideline exists for oral health care in stroke patients, while most of our acute stroke care settings have no documented protocol.AimThis study sought to understand the perspectives of healthcare professionals in Ghana and Nigeria about oral healthcare in acute stroke patients.MethodsA qualitative inductive approach was employed to explore healthcare professionals’ perspectives. After obtaining informed consent, in-depth interviews were conducted among doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists using semi-structured question guides. Participants’ responses were audiotaped for transcription and analysis. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Data were analyzed thematically to generate themes and sub-themes using an inductive approach.The resultsTwenty-five (25) health care professionals (HCP) aged 25–60 years with a mean age of 36.2 ± 4.2 years were interviewed. There were 15 (60.0%) males and 10 (40.0%) females. HCP included nurse practitioners 14 (56.0%), medical doctors 7 (28.0%), and physiotherapists 4 (16.0%). The HCP demonstrated adequate knowledge of stroke and considered oral health important for esthetic and clinical reasons. They, however, reported being unable to give it the required attention due to inadequate collaboration between the various professional cadres, insufficient equipment, and a skewed focus on other clinical needs of the acute stroke patients.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that HCPs perceived oral health care as very important among patients with acute stroke. However, they reported a lack of collaboration and integration of oral health care in routine stroke care as a major impediment.

Palliative Care of Stroke Patients

Critical care clinicians frequently care for patients with acute brain injury, such as stroke. Regardless of the severity of the neurologic insult, these patients have life-altering deficits that threaten their personal identity and quality of life. The sudden nature of the injury often means that there has been little discussion between patients and their families about life-sustaining treatments, and most patients are unable to speak for themselves because of impaired cognition and communication. Thus, individuals experiencing stroke and their families present clinicians with unique and complex care needs in the acute care setting. Key professional organizations have endorsed the early integration of palliative care into the treatment of patients with stroke and devastating neurologic injury. Implementing interdisciplinary primary or specialty palliative care helps clinicians adopt a patient-centered approach to care and aids in decision-making.