Stroke care in rural areas presents unique challenges, where swift and accurate diagnosis is crucial yet often hard to achieve. The standard of care for a suspected stroke patient is to have a CT scan of brain without contrast performed and interpreted within 45 minutes of presentation to the Emergency Department. South Peninsula Hospital’s (SPH) stroke team has developed several highly reliable processes related to staffing, communication, and evaluation that have helped them to meet and exceed the standard of care.
At the core of SPH's success is its multi-disciplinary stroke committee, spearheaded by the Emergency and Imaging Departments. This dedicated team conducts weekly case reviews and monthly meetings focused on continuous process improvement. Through the development of several highly reliable processes related to staffing, communication, and evaluation, SPH has met and exceeded the standard of care, with a quarter-over-quarter improvement culminating in a100% pass rate in Quarter 4 of 2023.
SPH's commitment to excellence led them to become one of the first Critical Access Hospitals in Alaska to participate in the Rural Accelerator Program of the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines Stroke Program.
Additionally, SPH leverages the Remote TeleStroke Program, allowing them to consult with neurologists for expert guidance and ensuring seamless patient transfers when needed. This innovative approach enhances the quality of care provided to stroke patients, even in the most remote locations.
This outstanding achievement is a testament to the team's unwavering commitment to developing and implementing high-quality programs that prioritize patient safety and well-being.
Stroke Committee:
Craig Caldwell, RN
Travis Ogden
Kristi Houle, ARRT
Rachael Kincaid, DNP
Frank Klima, RN
Edson Knapp, MD
Christopher Landess, MD
Warren Liebers, MD
Clay Eagerton, MSN, RN-BC
Tiffany Park, ARRT
Meredith Pearson, RN
Susan Shover, BSN, RN, CPHQ
Amy Sookraj, ARRT
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