Maintaining Stroke Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries: World Stroke Organization Position Statement Endorsed by American Stroke Association and American Heart Association
Stroke
Pandain, J. D., Panagos, P. D., et al. (2022).
Stroke, 53(3), 1043-1050.
This guideline provides recommendations regarding the provision of low-cost stroke care during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Only recommendations within the scope of practice for speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists are included within this article summary.
World Stroke Organization
American Stroke Association; American Heart Association
<div>The following recommendations were made regarding the use of stroke units for individuals with COVID-19:</div>
<ul>
<li>"[Stroke units] SUs should be maintained wherever possible to care for stroke patients, and not be used for managing COVID-19 patients who do not have stroke."</li>
<li>"Modified protocols [regarding COVID-19] for SU care should be established and followed."</li>
<li>"High-risk and [COVID] positive stroke patients should be managed in designated hospital areas, with allocated staff trained to provide essential principles of SU care" (p. 1047). </li>
</ul>
<div>The following recommendations were made regarding post-stroke rehabilitation of individuals during the COVID pandemic:</div>
<ul>
<li>Rehabilitation professionals should be given an adequate supply of personal protective equipment.</li>
<li>Care partners may be trained to provide therapy at home.</li>
<li>If they follow all safety measures, therapy providers may make home visits.</li>
<li>Using various apps, rehabilitation via telepractice may be utilized to preserve patient privacy. </li>
</ul>
