Implementation of New Practice in the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: New guidelines in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke include timely recognition of stroke symptoms and evaluation for rapid treatment of stroke with IV t-PA administration and endovascular intervention. Methods: The DNP student/project coordinator led a collaborative effort to integrate the updated AHA/ASA ischemic stroke guideline through revision of the current in-house stroke algorithm; facilitation of the implementation plan; and evaluation of the implementation plan. Evaluation: The DNP student/project coordinator suggested an evaluation of the practice change through monthly discussion of algorithm fall-outs at the Stroke Committee meetings at the hospital. Significance and Implications: Implementation of this project introduced a practice change in the clinical setting for patients who experience an in-hospital stroke. Early consideration for treatment with endovascular intervention may allow for an increase in the number of patients who are eligible to receive ischemic stroke intervention, and may lead to an improvement in stroke treatment response time.D.N.P., Nursing Practice -- Drexel University, 201