Staff and clients of the Sunrise Health Region (SHR) are praising the benefits of the newly opened Stroke Prevention Clinic, part of a pilot project aimed at decreasing the incidence and impact of strokes by integrating stroke education, prevention, rapid treatment and rehabilitation services.
The project, called the Integrated Stroke Strategy, was started in 2009.
People with symptoms of a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) are referred by a physician or nurse practitioner to the Stroke Prevention Clinic in the Yorkton Regional Health Centre for assessment and treatment to prevent future strokes.
On Tuesday Minister of Health, Don McMorris, Deputy Minister of Health Dan Florizone and Gwen Gordon, Director of Stroke Strategies for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan gathered with staff and clients to celebrate the opening of the clinic.
"This pilot project will help us discover the best ways to work together for the prevention and treatment of strokes, for the benefit of patients and their families." Health Minister Don McMorris says.
"What we learn from this project will be invaluable for planning how stroke services should be handled in other parts of Saskatchewan, and who should be involved."
Strokes are the leading cause of adult disability and the third leading cause of death in Saskatchewan. Each year in Saskatchewan more than 2,200 people experience a stroke, over 100 in the Sunrise Health Region. Seventy-five percent of individuals experiencing a stroke are left with a mild to severe disability.
The Stroke Prevention Clinic becomes a hive of activity every two weeks when two registered nurses trained in stroke care at the clinic in Yorkton link with neurologists from the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region to consult with patients via the Telehealth videoconferencing service.
While at the clinic, patient diagnostic information is reviewed and further diagnostic testing facilitated, examinations are completed. Risk management plans are implemented, which can include referrals for consultations with a dietician, social worker, pharmacist and/or therapist.
A summary of each patient's assessments, diagnostic data and management plan are communicated to the patient's primary care physician following each visit to the Stroke Prevention Clinic.
"The Stroke Prevention Clinic and Integrated Stroke Strategy reduce the devastating effects of stroke and are improving the lives of many people," says Suann Laurent, CEO (interim) for the Sunrise Health Region.
"I am also pleased for people in our area who no longer need to travel for stroke neurological consults that can now be done out of the clinic in Yorkton."
Since January, 2011, the Stroke Prevention Clinic has completed neurological assessments and provided services to fifty-five clients with symptoms of a TIA or stroke.
Visit: www.SunriseHealthRegion.sk.ca for more details.
