World Stroke Organization Global Stroke Services Guidelines and Action Plan
International Journal of Stroke
Lindsay, P., Furie, K. L., et al. (2014).
International Journal of Stroke, 9(Suppl A100), 4-13.
This guideline provides best practice recommendations for improving care and outcomes for people with stroke across a variety of global regions. The target audience is all providers of stroke care, especially those located in low to middle-income countries.
World Stroke Organization (Geneva, Switzerland)
"[Stroke] patients should be assessed for communication deficits" (p. 10).
Within the first days after stroke, "patients admitted to hospital with an acute stroke or [transient ischemic attack] TIA should be treated by an interdisciplinary stroke team, consisting of at least a physician with training in stroke care, a nurse, and a rehabilitation specialist (such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist)" (p. 8).
Within the first days after stroke, "the swallowing, nutritional, and hydration status of stroke patients should be screened as early as possible (using validated screening tools where possible)" (p. 9). "Abnormal results from the initial or ongoing swallowing screens should prompt referral to a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, and/or dietitian for more detailed assessment and management" (p. 9).
For individuals who have experienced a stroke, "patients with aphasia should be referred to a speech-language pathologist for individualized therapy to improve communication ability" (p. 10).
For individuals who have experienced a stroke, "patients with cognitive dysfunction should receive cognitive rehabilitation individualized to their deficits" (p. 11).
"Stroke patients should be screened for changes in cognitive status" (p. 11).
Within the first hours after stroke, "all patients with stroke should have their swallowing function screened or assessed to determine possible dysphagia before offering food, drink, or oral medications to patient" (p. 8).
Within the first days after stroke, "family members should be trained on proper feeding techniques for stroke patients with swallowing difficulties" (p. 9).
For stroke patients, "interventions to improve functional communication for patients with aphasia should be implemented (such as teaching families about the need for ongoing conversation, use of nonverbal strategies)" (p. 10).
