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Rapid Emergency Stroke Pathways: OrgaNised Systems and Education (RESPONSE)
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Andrew Higgins, Nurse Consultant (Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), Karen Robinson, Nurse Consultant (Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), Mr Stuart Durham, Consultant and Clinical
Director (Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), Stephanie Jones, Researcher (Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust), Dr Michael Leathley, Researcher (Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust), and the Rapid Emergency Stroke Pathways: OrgaNised Systems and Education Steering Group led by Professor Caroline Watkins, Professor of Stroke and Older People’s Care (University of Central Lancashire).
Outcomes for stroke patients can be improved by timely care. Therefore, it is crucial that front line staff (emergency medical services, NHS Direct, Primary Care and Accident and Emergency staff) recognise the symptoms of suspected stroke and initiate a rapid response.
The quality of current training in stroke recognition for front line staff is varied and the importance of the early recognition of stroke demands structured stroke specific training. RESPONSE is a freely accessible, online, structured acute stroke-specific training programme that is suitable for all front-line staff.
The course aims to improve knowledge in the identification and treatment of stroke through e-learning. To date, over 1500 health and emergency care professionals and volunteers have completed the RESPONSE course and the majority of participants (84%) have reported an increase in acute stroke knowledge. It is hoped that the training package will facilitate early presentation at hospital and will provide greater opportunity for time-dependent stroke treatment, such as thrombolysis. Patients will also have more immediate access to organised stroke care, which is known to have a positive impact on survival and dependency, reducing in-patient stroke care costs and length of stay, as well as the burden on community services and people’s carers.
Click here for further information about RESPONSE.