Examples: Stroke Education

St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, Indianapolis, Ind.

There are two components to the stroke education program at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital: an outpatient focus and an inpatient focus.

Outpatient Focus

The outpatient focus was the first to be implemented. It includes two major stroke screenings and public education offerings each year. Throughout the rest of the year, St. Vincent responds to requests for stroke education at local senior citizen centers, churches, community health fairs and schools. An average of one offering per month is provided. Stroke screenings involve rapid, irregular heart rate and stroke risk assessments by neurology-trained professionals, as well as providing literature on stroke issues such as the signs and symptoms and preventive measures. Lectures on stroke risk and awareness are also given upon request.

Inpatient Focus

Inpatient stroke education involves two formal classes for inpatients and their family and friends. The stroke educator also offers individual stroke education to all identified stroke survivors and their family and friends as well as an invitation to the stroke classes. The stroke educator also provides individual stroke education to St. Vincent Carmel Hospital patients at the physicians' requests.

Stroke education may include:

• Risk assessment



• Commonly used medications



• Lifestyle changes



• Atrial fibrillation self-assessment



• Understanding strokes and Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)



• Question and answers



• Viewing of stroke education tape

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