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Showing results for tags 'Stroke'.
Found 63 results
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Content ArticleDiagnostic errors are a known patient safety concern across all clinical settings, including the emergency department (ED). The authors from the John Hopkins University conducted a systematic review to determine the most frequent diseases and clinical presentations associated with diagnostic errors (and resulting harms) in the ED, measured error and harm frequency, as well as assessing causal factors.
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News Article
Millions in poor health due to lack of rehab after illness, warns UK report
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Millions of people in the UK are suffering poor health because they miss out on vital rehabilitation after strokes, heart attacks and cancer, which in turn is also heaping further pressure on the NHS, a damning report warns. Physiotherapists say some groups of patients are particularly badly affected. Without access to these services, many patients desperately trying to recover from illness became “stuck in a downward spiral”, they said, with some developing other health conditions as a result. The new report by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) says millions of people in marginalised communities, including those from ethnic minorities, are not only more likely to live shorter lives, but also spend a greater proportion of their lives struggling with health difficulties. Vital services that could tackle those inequities are either unavailable or poorly equipped to meet their needs, the report warns, adding that “some communities face particular barriers”. Prof Karen Middleton, the chief executive of the CSP, said: “Rehabilitation services have been under-resourced for decades and were not designed coherently in the first place. This has exacerbated poor health outcomes, particularly for people from marginalised groups. “It’s not only the individual who suffers. Without adequate access to rehabilitation, health conditions worsen to the point where more and more pressure is eventually piled on struggling local health systems and other public services. “We desperately need a modernised recovery and rehabilitation service that adequately supports patients following a health crisis and prevents other conditions developing.” Read full story Source: The Guardian, 21 September 2022 -
Content ArticleThe National Clinical Guideline for Stroke for the UK and Ireland provides authoritative, evidence-based practice guidance to improve the quality of care delivered to every adult who has a stroke in the United Kingdom and Ireland, regardless of age, gender, type of stroke, location, or any other feature. The guideline is intended for: Those providing care – nurses, doctors, therapists, care staff. Those receiving care – patients, their families, their carers. Those commissioning, providing or sanctioning stroke services. Anyone seeking to improve the care of people with stroke. The guideline is an initiative of the Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party.
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Content ArticleThis article looks at how Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv, one of the largest health systems in the region, has used artificial intelligence to turn around statistics on patient safety. In 2016, the Accelerate Redesign Collaborate Innovation Center at Sheba launched a an AI solution called Aidoc to read CT scans. It is being used to more accurately predict stroke and pulmonary embolism, allowing healthcare professionals to offer preventative treatment more quickly that when CT scans are read purely manually.
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News Article
NHS ‘lifeline’ for hundreds of stroke survivors
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Hundreds of NHS patients have received personal, specialised care thanks to a new service set up during the coronavirus pandemic. Stroke Connect, a partnership with the NHS and the Stroke Association provides stroke survivors with support and advice in the early days following hospital discharge, without having to leave the house. Experts have said that the new offer is providing a ‘lifeline’ during the pandemic and has helped more than 500 people to rebuild their lives after having a stroke since it launched last month. Patients are contacted for an initial call within a few days of discharge from hospital, from a trained ‘Stroke Association Connector’, an expert in supporting people after stroke. The connector provides reassurance, support with immediate concerns and links the stroke survivor to support they can access in the long-term as part of their recovery journey as well as signposting them to other sources of support. A further call is offered within the month to check in on the stroke survivor’s progress and identify any further support needed. The new service complements existing rehabilitation services and ‘life after stroke’ care, which has continued throughout the pandemic. Read full story Source: NHS England, 31 August 2020 -
News Article
'Dial 999 for stroke emergencies despite coronavirus'
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
People who may be having a stroke should still call 999 for emergency medical care, even during the coronavirus pandemic, say UK experts. They are concerned that many are not seeking urgent help when they most need it, possibly due to fear of the virus or not wanting to burden the NHS. Any delay in seeking help can lead to disability or even death, warns the Stroke Association. Prompt assessment and treatment saves lives, it says. Data suggest people are currently staying away from hospitals, which is fine unless you really need care. Latest figures for England and Scotland suggest attendance to Emergency Departments has dropped by over a third on the same week last year. Those who need urgent medical help should still attend, say experts. Read full story Source: BBC News, 6 April 2020 -
News Article
Distance not always factor in ambulance response times
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
There is significant variation in ambulance response times to patients with serious conditions such as suspected strokes or heart attacks, which is not fully explained by how rural an area is, an HSJ analysis has revealed. The exclusive analysis represents the first time ambulance performance for category two calls, which have an 18-minute response time target, have been broken down to clinical commissioning group level. Category two, known as emergency calls, covers a wide range of conditions, including suspected stroke and heart attacks (except cardiac arrests), major burns and epileptic seizures. They account for well over half of ambulance responses. The findings — described as “alarming” by the Stroke Association — lay bare the incredibly long waits which are usually hidden, because average waiting time data is usually published for ambulance trusts, which cover far larger areas than CCGs. Mark MacDonald, Deputy Director of Policy at the Stroke Association, said: “It is alarming to hear that in some cases ambulance staff are taking over an hour to reach patients because when it comes to stroke, being assessed quickly and then, if necessary, transferred to hospital, is really important.” Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 5 March 2020 -
News Article
Stroke consultant shortage 'hurtling towards crisis'
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Almost half of hospitals have a shortage of specialist stroke consultants, new figures suggest. One charity fears "thousands of lives" will be put at risk unless action is taken, with others facing the threat of a lifelong disability. In 2016, Alison Brown had what is believed to have been at least one minor stroke, but non-specialist doctors at different hospitals repeatedly told her she did not have a serious health condition. One even described it as an ear infection. Ten months later, aged 34, she had a bilateral artery dissection - a common cause of stroke in young people, where a tear in a blood vessel causes a clot that impedes blood supply to the brain. She was admitted to hospital - but again struggled for a diagnosis. A junior doctor found an issue with blood flow to the brain but she says their comments were dismissed and she was told it was a migraine. It was only when she collapsed again, days later, and admitted herself to a hospital with a dedicated stroke ward that a specialist team was able to give her the care she needed. Alison's case highlights the importance of being seen by stroke specialists. However, according to new figures from King's College London's 2018-19 Snapp (Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme) report, 48% of hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have had at least one stroke consultant vacancy for the past 12 months or more. This has risen from 40% in 2016 and 26% in 2014. The Stroke Association charity - which analysed the data - says the UK is "hurtling its way to a major stroke crisis" unless the issue is addressed. Read full story Source: BBC News, 17 January 2020 -
Content ArticleThis report by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) has been published as part of a pilot launched to evaluate HSIB’s ability to carry out effective local investigations at specific hospitals and trusts, while still identifying and sharing relevant national learning. After an evaluation, it will be decided whether this model can be implemented more widely by HSIB. The investigation reviewed the case of a patient who had a stroke and was due to be taken to his local hospital emergency department (ED), but the ED advised paramedics this was not possible as their stroke service was closed. The alternative was to take him to a neighbouring hospital, but they also advised that they could also not take the patient. This was then referred back to the original ED, who restated their position, eventually leading to the neighbouring hospital agreeing to accept the patient. Once the patient arrived he then had to wait 40 minutes in an ambulance as the ED was very busy.
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Content ArticleThis patient decision aid from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) aims to help family members and carers of severe stroke patients under 60 understand the risks and benefits of decompressive hemicraniectomy, so that they can make an informed decision about treatment.
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Content ArticleChristoph Diener, from the faculty of medicine at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany, reports on the latest publications from the European Stroke Organisation on the management and prevention of stroke, including: managing blood pressure in the first 24 hours space-occupying brain infarctions the new guidelines on transient ischaemic attacks and minor stroke treatment options for patients with carotid stenosis rare thrombosis complications following COVID-19 vaccinations.
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Content ArticleThis manifesto was created by the Community Rehabilitation Alliance, a collective of 50 charities, trade unions and professional bodies coming together to call on all political parties to ensure there is equal access to high quality community rehabilitation services for all patients.
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Content ArticleThis short animation from SameYou, a charity working to develop better recovery treatment for survivors of brain injury and stroke, highlights the stories of survivors of brain injury and stroke. It is linked with their report, The Untold Story of Brain Injury.
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Content ArticleThis report from SameYou, a charity working to develop better recovery treatment for survivors of brain injury and stroke, draws on the experiences of over 1,400 survivors of brain injury and stroke, as well as the experiences of their friends and family members. It highlights the lack of support for survivors and recommends some ways forward to improve outcomes.
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Content Article
What's your heart age? NHS Health Check
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Heart conditions
A new study by Staffordshire University shows that people who understand their ‘heart age’ are more likely to make healthy lifestyle changes. 50 preventable deaths from heart attack or stroke happen every day and Public Health England’s online Heart Age Test (HAT) allows users to compare their real age to the predicted age of their heart. The tool aims to provide early warning signs of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, encouraging members of the public to reduce their heart age through diet and exercise and to take up the offer of an NHS Health Check. -
Content ArticleThe relationship between exercise and stroke recurrence is controversial. This study from Hou et al. was designed to test whether an association exists between exercise and ischemic stroke recurrence in first-ever ischemic stroke survivors. It found that stroke survivors who engage in long-term regular mild exercise (more than 5 sessions per week and lasting on average 40 min per session) have a lower recurrence rate; however, irregular exercise increases the risk of stroke recurrence.
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Content ArticleThis is an online directory which signposts brain injury and stroke survivors to local services in the UK. It lists over 90 neuro support charities and outpatient community services and is searchable by address, city or postcode. It is hosted by SameYou, a charity working to develop better recovery treatment for survivors of brain injury and stroke.
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Content Article
NICE decision aid: Should I take a statin?
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Heart conditions
This decision aid from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) can help you if you are thinking about taking a statin. It is for people who do not already have heart disease and have not had a stroke. You can use it to help you to talk about your options with your healthcare professional (such as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse). -
News ArticleThousands of stroke patients have suffered avoidable disability because NHS care for them was disrupted during the pandemic, a report claims. Many people who had just had a stroke found it harder to obtain clot-busting drugs or undergo surgery to remove a blood clot from their brain, both of which need to happen quickly. Rehabilitation services, which are vital to help reduce the impact of a stroke, also stopped working normally as the NHS focused on Covid, the Stroke Association said. It is concerned “many could lose out on the opportunity to make their best possible recovery”. Juliet Bouverie, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Strokes didn’t stop because of the pandemic. Despite the tireless efforts of frontline clinicians who have gone to herculean efforts to maintain services under extremely difficult conditions, some treatments still became unavailable and most stroke aftercare ground to a halt. This means more stroke survivors are now living with avoidable, unnecessary disability.” Read full story Source: The Guardian, 17 September 2020
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News ArticleA new study by Staffordshire University shows that people who understand their ‘heart age’ are more likely to make healthy lifestyle changes. 50 preventable deaths from heart attack or stroke happen every day and Public Health England’s online Heart Age Test (HAT) allows users to compare their real age to the predicted age of their heart. The tool aims to provide early warning signs of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, encouraging members of the public to reduce their heart age through diet and exercise and to take up the offer of an NHS Health Check. CHAD Research Associate Dr Victoria Riley, who led the study, said: “Deaths from heart attack or stroke are often preventable and so addressing health issues early is incredibly important. Our findings show that pre-screening tests, such as the HAT, can encourage individuals to evaluate their lifestyle choices and increase their intentions to change behaviour.” Read full story Source: Brigher Side of News, 10 October 2021
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News Article
Sisters with sickle cell had devastating, and preventable, strokes
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
It was 4am on a Sunday in San Antonio, US, when Dana Jones heard an ominous sound, barely audible over the whirring of box fans, like someone struggling to breathe. She ran down the hall and found her daughter Kyra, age 12, lying on her back, gasping for air. Terrified, she called 911. A police officer, the first to arrive, dashed into Kyra’s bedroom, threw the slender girl over his shoulder and laid her on a leather sofa in the living room. He asked her mother, an oral surgery technician, to give her CPR. Kyra’s lips were ice-cold. An ambulance whisked the girl to Methodist Children’s Hospital, where staff members swarmed her and put her into a medically induced coma. Kyra, who has sickle cell, had suffered a devastating stroke — her second — a common complication of this inherited disease, which afflicts 100,000 Americans, most of them Black. She most likely would never have had the strokes if she had been given an annual screening test and treatment proven more than two decades earlier to prevent 9 out of 10 strokes in children with the disease and recommended by the National Institutes of Health. But like countless other children with sickle cell, she was never screened. Read full story Source: New York Times, 23 May 2021 -
Content ArticleThis report examines the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on people living with long-term conditions and highlights that many have deteriorated faster than usual due to being unable to access rehabilitation services. It makes recommendations to the government aimed at restoring rehabilitation support services. The report was produced collaboratively by The Alzheimer's Society, The Stroke Association, Macmillan Cancer Support, The Centre for Mental Health, Age UK, The College of Podiatry, The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, The Royal College of Occupational Therapists, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and The British Dietetic Association.
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Content ArticleThe Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) has published its independent 'Review of the implementation of recommendations to prevent choking incidents in Northern Ireland'. The Review examined the measures and governance arrangements in place to prevent choking, in line with current guidance, focusing on the work undertaken in high-risk areas across health and social care, including stroke care, care of the elderly and services for those with physical and/or mental health and learning disabilities. The Review found that there was a clear and urgent need to improve the quality and safety of care provided to people at risk of choking. The key recommendations in the Review include: training for staff including clinicians, catering and domestic teams; shorter waiting times for assessment by Speech and Language Therapy; better systems for communication between staff, and safer systems for ordering and storing food.
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Content ArticleResearch suggests that there is a wide gap in knowledge about how medical conditions affect men and women differently, and about the conditions that only affect women. As a result, women are receiving poorer medical advice and diagnosis, often leading to worse outcomes. This handbook published by digital healthcare provider Livi looks at some of the evidence surrounding sex-based health inequalities and how they are affecting women in the UK.
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Content Article
NHS England: Stroke toolkit
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Other conditions and diseases
Stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. It is the fourth largest cause of death and the leading cause of disability, with almost two thirds of stroke survivors leaving hospital with a disability in the UK.
