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ENCSN Stroke Resources


Please enjoy these stroke health resources compiled by ENCSN members and workgroups. This webpage offers a summary of all the resources posted on each of the workgroup webpages, as well as additional information that could be useful to stroke prevention and stroke care initiatives.

Stroke Continuing Education Resources

Advanced Stroke Life Support Courses (ASLS)


    From March 2009-October 2009, ENCSN helped organize, sponsor, and/or publicize 15 ASLS classes which trained 334 health providers in ASLS in Eastern NC.

    What is Needed to Host an ASLS Class

    ENCSN helps organize and sponsor ASLS classes at institutions that request a class, be it at a hospital or community college (targeting EMS). In a typical fiscal year (June-June), ENCSN has funds to provide the materials, instructor fee, and EAHEC CE credit fee for four classes in Eastern NC. If ENCSN is the key sponsor of the class, the Network usually requires at least 15 people to attend the class. The costs for the class include the books (~$30), MENDS cards, instructor travel costs, and the instructor fee. ENCSN pays its ASLS instructors $300 to teach a one-day course. The class materials required for the class are a laptop, a projector, a screen, and audio speakers. The laptop needs to be able to play a CD-ROM and have video-showing capabilities. Pre/post tests and evaluations need to be printed for the class as well. Additional costs may be incurred if the class organizers would like CE credits to be offered for the class. At a minimum, ENCSN can help with finding an ASLS instructor and usually can provide ASLS books and the curriculum CD-ROM. For the cost of ordering materials directly from the creators of the ASLS course, go to the University of Miami website, http://www.asls.net/introduction.html.

    How to Become an ASLS Instructor

    To become an 'official' National ASLS instructor, a health provider would need to take a class organized by the creators of the ASLS curriculum, University of Miami, or attend a class taught by an instructor trainined through the University of Miami. Since traveling to Miami is cost prohibitive and ENCSN has the goal to spread the knowledge/training of the course, the instructors ENCSN helps train can only teach within NC. With that being said, ENCSN considers a person an ASLS instructor if 1) they've taken an ASLS course, and 2) they've practiced co-teaching an ASLS class with an experienced instructor. In select cases, if a person is certified to teach other courses (ie. ACLS) or instructs classes as a part of their job, ENCSN may find exceptions to the second step.

    Upcoming ASLS Classes!

        (Pre-registration Required!)
          April 10th, 2010 at Halifax Community College. To attend, contact James P. Ellen, BS, EMT-P at Halifax Co. EMS, jellenemtp@aol.com ir 252.532.5849 (cell).

          February 16th, 2010;
          May 10th, 2010;
          October 20th, 2010;
          December 8th, 2010
          All four classes will be held at the Wilson Medical Center Auditorium in Wilson, NC (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). 7.5 Nurse Contact Hours provided by Wilson Medical Center CME Credit is pending via Eastern NC Stroke Network and affiliates. WMC employees, register via WilLearn. Non-WMC staff, 399-8481 or sarah.joyner@wilmed.org. There is no cost for the course.
            Past Classes

          • Friday, March 6, 2009 at Albemarle Hospital in Elizabeth City, NC (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) ASLS-Hospital. Contact Eastern AHEC at 252-744-5205 for class information.

          • Sat., March 7, 2009 at Martin Community College (MCC) in Williamston, NC (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) ASLS Pre-hospital. Contact Lee Black, MCC Emergency Services Training Director at (252) 792-1521 ext. 266 for class information.

          • March 2009: (Mon) 9, (Mon) 16, (Sat) 21, (Mon) 23 and (Mon) 30, 2009 at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville, NC (9:00 a.m.-5:00p.m.), ASLS-Prehospital. Contact Dave Cuddeback and Duplin EMS at (910) 296-2160 for class information.

          • CANCELEDSaturday, March 21, 2009 at Pitt Community College in Greenville, NC (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.), ASLS-Prehospital (limited space for hospitalists).

          • May 27, 2009 at Craven Regional Hospital in New Bern, NC (8:00a.m.-4:45p.m.), ASLS-Hospital and Pre-Hospital welcome. Download Class Brochure and Registration here

          • Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Area-L AHEC in Rocky Mount, NC (unknown time), ASLS-Hospital and Prehospital. Contact Area-L AHEC at 252-972-6958 for class information. Download Class Brochure and Registration here

          • Monday, June 15, 2009 at Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, NC (8AM-4:45PM), ASLS-Hospital and Prehospital welcome. Class limited to 25 people. Download Class Brochure and Registration here.
          • Wed. Sept. 9th and Tues. Sept. 15 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. for Wilson Co. EMS, but limited space may be available for other pre-hospital staff. Contact Chris Parker at (252) 265-5559 for more information on the class, and to register.

          • September 24th, 2009 at Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC from 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m. primarily for hospital staff, but EMS welcome as well. Contact Carolyn Ezzell at 910-296-2810 or by email at cezzell@dgh.org to register and for classroom location.

          • September 29, 2009 at Carteret Community College in Morehead City, NC (7:30AM registrion - 3:15p.m.) ASLS Pre-hospital and hospital. Lunch will NOT be provided. Call (252) 222-6200 to pre-register, or contact Hetty Wallace, EMTP, AAS, EMS Curriculum Area Coordinator at (252) 222-6082 or wallaceh@carteret.edu The class will held at the Wayne West building Room 119A.

          • Fri. October 23 at Wilson Medical Center. Contact Sarah Joyner at sarah.joyner@wilmed.org or 252-399-8481 for more information on the class, and to register.



        Stroke Education Resources Compiled by the Continuing Education Workgroup


      Stroke Prevention Education Community Resources

        Hypertension Radio Script for Eastern NC

        This radio script was used for hypertension PSAs in the 30 Eastern NC counties targeted by ENCSN. The radio ads will run on various radio stations from May 18, 2009 until the end of September 2009.



        High Blood Pressure Educational Flyers

        This is a set of three flyers in English and Spanish that can be downloaded free of charge. They are meant to be used as a set to explain what is high blood pressure, to provide education about risk factors and effects, and to promote lifestyle change. These flyers were developed by the Start With Your Heart: NC Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program.



        Northeast NC Stroke Billboard

          Shown in Camden County (Hwy 158), Pasquotank County (Hwy 17), and Edgecombe County (Hwy 64 Alt and Hwy 258). Developed by the Northeastern NC Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, in collaboration with the Edgecombe County Health Department. Design developed by Lewis Advertising, Rocky Mount, NC.


        NC Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention (HDSP) Public Awareness Ads

          Public Awareness Advertisements that were shown in North Carolina (targeting Eastern NC) in May 2008 and 2009: Stroke "Family Feud Game Show". In addition, you can see the embedded video for the HDSP High Blood Pressure "Lost in Translation" ad. These ads can be requested in DVD format as well. See Available Media Items and the HDSP Media Request Form below.






        Materials for May Stroke Awareness Month & EMS Week (May 17-23, 2009)

        >'Explaining Stroke' National Stroke Association Brochure
        Example Stroke Newspaper Articles from Eastern NC
        • Newspaper articles submitted to the Enterprise Newspaper, May 2009 (unpublished): download here (MS Word). Submitted by John Fulk, Martin-Tyrell-Washington Health Department.
        • Newspaper article submitted to the Kinston Free Press (published 5/19/09): Page 1, Page 2. Submitted by Rhonda Ward, Lenoir County Health Department.

        Radio Script or Presentation Script for Community Members
          This radio or presentation script presents talking points on stroke for a 15-20 minute talk or presentation. This script was used in Pitt County for a radio segment on radio station WECU 1570 AM on 5/18/2009.

        Powerpoint Presentations for Community Members
        (with thanks to Marie Welch, John Fulk, and Bob Thomas for sharing their presentations)
        Pre-Printed Stroke Newspaper Insert
          These pre-printed newspaper inserts will be shown in the Daily Reflector Newspaper (Greenville, NC and Eastern NC) on 4/3/09 and 4/6/09. Use this pdf file to distribute in your own newspaper (please email Elynor Wilson, elwilson@pittcountync.gov, if used in your county/organization).

        EMS Stroke Brochure
          Customize this brochure for your county EMS. Delete the yellow boxes and insert relevant logos, mottos, and contact information. Partner with EMS in May for stroke screenings, EMS week events, and throughout the year in order to educate community members on the need to call 9-11 for a stroke!

        Community Prevention Education Survey, 3/30/09
          Excel spreadsheet of survey results from select ENCSN CPE members. Members responded by listing stroke awareness activities and stroke prevention partners in their organization/county. May help others to get ideas on stroke prevention partners and activities in their own communities.

        Free Stroke Risk Identification Screenings
          Scroll down on webpage for details. Contact Terry Congleton for Eastern NC screenings (252-847-0162) or Tanya Miller for Northeastern NC screenings (252-384-4414).

        ASA Power to End Stroke Materials
          Scroll down on webpage to see available materials and downloads. Contact Regina E. Fleenor, North Carolina Director of Cultural Health Initiatives, for more information (contact information below).

        NC Stroke Association Symptom Flyer
        Stroke Bulletin Board Display
          These powerpoint slides can be printed and used for a bulletin board display. For example, the slides shown here will be used for a display in the Pitt County Public Health Center waiting room during the month of May. Spanish and English information included.

        Available Free Stroke Education Media Items
        • Items from the NC Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program (HDSP)
        • Items from Genentech (Activase)
            Activase items may include table tent cards and pocket cards withe the "FAST" stroke symptoms (Face, Arms, Speech, Time). Table tent cards are useful for display in large worksite cafeterias (hospitals, factories, business companies, colleges, etc). Contact Pat McCormick, Clinical Specialist, for availabilty at 919-802-5214 or mccormick.patricia@gene.com.

        Community Stroke Screenings: The Stroke Risk Identification Program



        ASA Power to End Stroke Education Campaign

          Power To End Stroke was created in 2006 by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to help reach the ASA mission to reduce stroke and risk of stroke by 25% by 2010. It was also meant to raise critical awareness within the African American population. Heart disease and stroke are major health risks for all people, but African Americans are at particularly high risk.

          Go to http://powertoendstroke.org for more information on the initiative.

          For those in ENCSN that would like to partner with American Stroke Association during May Stroke Awareness month and help secure completed stroke pledge registration cards, please contact Regina Fleenor (contact information below) to discuss. Regina can provide materials for stroke month events (Know Your Number Wallet Cards, Shape Your Family History Tree, Power To End Stroke Pledge Registration Cards, and also Stroke Risk Quiz cards when they are back in stock).

          Downloadable ASA Power to End Stroke Items

          NC Power to End Stroke Contact
          Regina E. Fleenor, RN/BSN
          North Carolina Director, Cultural Health Initiatives
          American Heart Association
          Mid-Atlantic Affiliate
          222 South Church St., Suite 303
          Charlotte, NC 28202
          (704) 208-5518 direct office line
          (704) 374-0632 main office
          (828) 506-8378 cell phone
          (704) 374-0634 fax
          regina.fleenor@heart.org



        Available Media Items (updated 6/15/09)

          These media items are available for distribution to ENCSN member agencies. All of these items are provided through funds from the "Start With Your Heart" NC Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program (HDSP).

          To request HDSP media items, download the order request form below, complete the form, and email it to the applicable coordinator (India Foy or Elynor Wilson, as noted in the form).



      Contact Elynor Wilson, ENCSN Staff Member/Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention Regional Coordinator, at 252-902-2451 for more details.

. .
AvailableBrain Stroke First Aid KitsSigns of a stroke and "call 9-11" are listed on the outside. Contain bandaids and ointment. Size: 2 inches by 3 inches.
AvailableStroke Signs/Heart Attack Signs Sticky Card
Know The Signs Of Heart Attack And Stroke; A Tips That Stick Info-Card. During a heart attack or stroke, every minute counts. This self-adhesive info-card describes the symptoms of both conditions in easy-to-understand bulleted text, and provides clear directions for how to get help. Info-card can be easily affixed -- and reapplied -- to a bedroom wall, a refrigerator, or any other home surface, making information easy to find, easy to read, and easy to act on. Made of durable card stock, with pre-slit folds and a tab for flat display when open or closed. 8" x 13" (unfolded), 8" x 5 1/2" (folded). **Available in Spanish and English
AvailableBlood Pressure/Stroke Storybook Comic
A timely resource for increasing awareness within the Hispanic/Latino community about the seriousness of hypertension and the importance of getting regular blood-pressure checkups. These messages are delivered via a story about a mother and son -- one with high blood pressure and the other with prehypertension -- who make healthy choices after learning that a family member has had a stroke. Audience-targeted language, design, and photographs help make the message more relevant for Hispanic/Latino readers. 8 pages, 5 1/2" x 8". **Available in Spanish and English
AvailableENCSN Stroke Pens
ENCSN Stroke Pens in blue and white which show the ENCSN website link (www.encsn.org) along with the stroke signs and symptoms in two display windows on the sides of the pen. Different symptoms display each time you click the pen back. Pen distribution preference will be given to ENCSN-sponsored training events.
AvailableID Badge Clips
Blue ENCSN ID badge clips which are perfect for health providers working in stroke prevention. Plastic snap loop attaches to badge, and metal clip on back slides over pockets or belt loops.
AvailableBetter Health Prescription PadsUsing the medical Rx model, this prescription pad urges patients to maintain healthy behavior: to walk, eat healthier, or a fill-in-the-blank space for other healthy activity (ie. quit smoking). Service providers can check diabetes, high blood pressure, weight issues, high cholesterol, or previous heart problems as the health conditions this healthy behavior "prescription" can improve. Size: 5 inches by 4.5 inches.
Available"Start With Your Heart" Blood Pressure Brochures"Start With Your Heart" Blood Pressure Brochures. Cover reads, "Need help translating & understanding your blood pressure numbers? Here's what you need to know to fight heart disease and stroke." Size: 3.5 inches by 8.5 inches, folded.
Available"Give Me 5" Stroke Posters"Give Me 5" for Stroke posters list 5 signs of a stroke (walk, talk, reach, see, feel) and tell people to "call 911" if they have one of these symptoms. Posters and bookmarks were created by the American Academy of Neurology, American College of Emergency Physicians, and American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Size (posters): 11 inches by 16 inches.
Available"Faces of Stroke" DVDs"Faces fo Stroke" is a video that runs for 14 minutes and 30 seconds. It features the stroke care team at Carolinas Medical Center NorthEast in Charlotte, NC. This DVD shows the stroke continuum of care, and could be used as a model for other regional hospitals in developing media for their own stroke care programs. This DVD could also be used in community prevention education, since it shows stroke warning signs and features the story of a stroke survivor. This DVD was produced by the Cabarrus County Stroke Collaborative.

Available"Start With Your Heart" Media Advertisement DVDsThese "Start With Your Heart" DVDs show four (1-minute) advertisements which focus on stroke and heart attack prevention: "Game Show" Stroke Signs (2 clips); "Lost in Translation" Medical Jargon OR "Paramedic Mindreader" Heart Attack Signs; and "Barflies" Heart Attacks & Secondhand Smoke. Copies of these DVDs can be provided to Network members who will show the health media advertisements in their work setting or community: hospital waiting rooms, county public access channels, community health fairs, etc. IMPORTANT: Please notify Elynor Wilson (elwilson@pittcountync.gov) or India Foy (India.Foy@ncmail.net) once these ads have been shown in your community or workplace, in order to track ad exposure in Eastern NC. This tracking ensures continued funding for this mass media project.

AvailableJNC7 Blood Pressure Guideline Reference CardsJNC7 Blood Pressure Guideline Reference Cards are available to Worksite Nurses or other health care providers, in conjunction with presentations by Elynor Wilson & India Foy. If your worksite or organization would like a presentation on updated blood pressure and cholesterol guidelines (funds available for limited refreshments), please contact Elynor Wilson (elwilson@pittcountync.gov) or India Foy (India.Foy@ncmail.net) to make arrangements.
AvailableATP3 Cholesterol Guideline Reference CardsATP3 Cholesterol Guideline Reference Cards are available to Worksite Nurses or other health care providers, in conjunction with presentations by Elynor Wilson & India Foy. If your worksite or organization would like a presentation on updated blood pressure and cholesterol guidelines (funds available for limited refreshments), please contact Elynor Wilson (elwilson@pittcountync.gov) or India Foy (India.Foy@ncmail.net) to make arrangements.



Collected NC Stroke Plans of Care

Plan of Care Development Resources

Also see the ENCSN Quality Improvement webpage for resources on Quality Measures!

Expanding the Window for Administration of tPA in Ischemic Stroke. Pharmacists Letter/Prescriber's Letter. July 2009~Volume 25~Number 250717.

AHA/ASA science advisory recommends use of tPA between three and 4.5 hours after stroke, from the ECASS III Trial (Stroke. 2009;40:2262.).

Patients who are eligible for treatment with rtPA within 3 hours of onset of stroke should be treated as recommended in the 2007 guidelines.1 Although a longer time window for treatment with rtPA has been tested formally, delays in evaluation and initiation of therapy should be avoided, because the opportunity for improvement is greater with earlier treatment.

rtPA should be administered to eligible patients who can be treated in the time period of 3 to 4.5 hours after stroke (Class I Recommendation, Level of Evidence B). The eligibility criteria for treatment in this time period are similar to those for persons treated at earlier time periods, with any one of the following additional exclusion criteria: Patients older than 80 years, those taking oral anticoagulants with an international normalized ratio 1.7, those with a baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >25, or those with both a history of stroke and diabetes. Therefore, for the 3-to-4.5–hour window, all patients receiving an oral anticoagulant are excluded regardless of their international normalized ratio. The relative utility of rtPA in this time window compared with other methods of thrombus dissolution or removal has not been established. The efficacy of intravenous treatment with rtPA within 3 to 4.5 hours after stroke in patients with these exclusion criteria is not well established (Class IIb Recommendation, Level of Evidence C) and requires further study.

Ancillary care for patients receiving rtPA at 3 to 4.5 hours after ischemic stroke should be similar to that included in the 2007 American Heart Association Stroke Council Guidelines.1

These recommendations, which are based on peer-reviewed publications, should be reevaluated after the results of regulatory agency review of detailed, nonpublicly available data are known. The recommendations use the American Heart Association’s classification of recommendations and levels of evidence shown in the Table.


Quality Improvement Resources

UPDATE: National Reporting of Stroke Measures

(provided by NCSCC Staff, June 2009)

Purpose
The purpose of this update is to inform NC Stroke Care Collaborative (NCSCC) hospitals’ stroke staff [and ENCSN QI workgroup members] of the current issues around national reporting of stroke measures. NC Department of Public Health (DPH) is not the authority on these issues. Our goal is to notify you of the developments of which we are aware. We encourage you to discuss these topics with your Quality Improvement/Performance Improvement Departments. The information below summarizes recent actions by The Joint Commission (TJC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) related to stroke performance measures.

Background
  • In 2008, the National Quality Forum (NQF) endorsed 8 of the 10 stroke consensus measures listed below. The dysphagia screening and smoking cessation measures were not endorsed.

    Measure ID # Measure Short Name
    STK-1 Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prophylaxis
    STK-2 Discharged on Antithrombotic Therapy
    STK-3 Anticoagulation Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter
    STK-4 Thrombolytic Therapy
    STK-5 Antithrombotic Therapy By End of Hospital Day 2
    STK-6 Discharged on Statin Medication
    STK-8 Stroke Education
    STK-10 Assessed for Rehabilitation

    TJC
    Effective Oct. 1, 2009, TJC will include the 8 NQF-endorsed stroke measures as a new measure set for core measure reporting for accredited hospitals. For more information about issues related to TJC, go to these sites:

    TJC Performance Measurement
    http://www.jointcommission.org/PerformanceMeasurement/PerformanceMeasurement/

    Specifications Manual, starting October 1, 2009
    http://www.jointcommission.org/PerformanceMeasurement/PerformanceMeasurement/Future+NHQM+Manuals.htm

    TJC Stroke Core Measures
    http://www.jointcommission.org/PerformanceMeasurement/PerformanceMeasurement/STK+Core+Measures.htm

  • Outcome Science is developing the capability for stroke measure submission directly to TJC from the Patient Management Tool for an annual fee of $2,887. Joint Commission PSC hospitals will not be charged the fee. All GWTG-Stroke hospitals were contacted via email. For details, contact Outcome at (888) 526-6700.
  • We encourage you to discuss this with your Quality Improvement/Performance Improvement departments or those responsible for TJC core measures at your institution.

    CMS
  • CMS publishes the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) annually which outlines the reportable performance measures that impact hospital reimbursement rates for Medicare patients under the National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures.
  • On April 30, 2009, the FY2010 IPPS proposed rule was published. The document is available online at:
    http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=09000064809ac032
  • The IPPS includes a “structural measure” proposing to require hospitals to report whether or not they are participating in a stroke registry, and if so, the name of the registry. This would go into effect October 2009.
  • The IPPS rule proposed that the 8 NQF-endorsed stroke measures NOT be collected until October 2010.
  • CMS is considering submission of the data via existing registries (e.g.: the NCSCC or GWTG-Stroke) as well as submission via electronic medical records.

    Action Requested
    We are in the middle of a 60-day comment period for the proposed rule. Comments are due June 30, 2009. Hospital staff is encouraged to offer comments.

    Comments can be submitted electronically to the CMS website:
    http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=0900006480971cd2
    Click on the comment icon for Document ID CMS-2009-0034-0003

    Suggested Talking Points*
    These are suggested talking points. We encourage you to use these as a guide but to comment using your own language.
  • 1. Indicate support of the inclusion of the 8 NQF-endorsed stroke quality indicators in the FY2010 RHQDAPU initiative.
  • 2. Explain your participation in the NCSCC and your support for data collection to be done via existing registries to reduce the burden for hospitals.
  • 3. Indicate your support for the dysphagia and smoking cessation measures to be included in the stroke set.
  • 4. Explain how focusing on stroke measures has improved the quality of care provided at your institution.

    *These talking points are only the opinions of the state program managers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry and do NOT reflect any official position of the CDC, the American Heart Association, or the NC DPH.

    For more information, please contact the Quality Improvement/Performance Improvement Department at your institution.

    The Joint Commission 10 Harmonized Stroke Measures



    8 NQS/CMS Measures


    Stroke Quality Improvement Endorsed by the NC Stroke Advisory Council

    Justus-Warren Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Legislative Task Force

      RECOMMENDATION #3
      The Council recommends expanded use of recognized stroke registries to monitor and improve the quality of acute stroke care in NC. Performance improvement stroke tools must be designed to:

      • Improve the quality of stroke care
      • Facilitate secondary prevention
      • Enhance communication between emergency responders, hospitals, providers and other key stroke stakeholders
        (11;"Prelimary Findings and Recommendations of a NC System of Stroke Care," 2007)
        NOTE: This recommendation was used to successfully request NC legislative funding in 2007.

      Download full 2007 Stroke Advisory Report, "Preliminary Findings and Recommendations for a NC System of Stroke Care."



    NC Map of Stroke QI Programs


    NC Stroke Care Collaborative/NC Stroke Registry (NCSCC)


    Contact: Carol Murphy
    cmurphy@unc.edu
    (919) 843-2396
  • Download NCSCC brochure here
  • Download NCSCC February 2009 Newsletter here

      Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry For Quality Improvement. The goals of the North Carolina Stroke Care Collaborative are to: Evaluate the current state of stroke care in North Carolina; Facilitate quality of stroke care improvements in NC hospitals; Build a foundation for a state-wide stroke registry.

      More Information about NCSCC



    Get with the Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke)

    Contact: Ron Cromartie, FAHA Senior Consultant, Quality Improvement
    American Heart Association
    Mid-Atlantic Affiliate
    Quality Improvement Initiatives
    Get With The Guidelines
    3131 RDU Center Drive, Suite 100
    Morrisville, NC 27560
    (919) 463-8332 (direct)
    (919) 463-8292 (fax)
    (919) 491-6595 (mobile)
    Ron.cromartie@heart.org

  • Download GWTG brochure here
  • GWTG Stroke Fact Sheet
      Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) helps ensure continuous quality improvement of acute stroke treatment and ischemic stroke prevention. It focuses on care team protocols to ensure that patients are treated and discharged appropriately. The program is available for implementation at acute care hospitals nationwide.


    Presentations from the GWTG-Stroke Meeting
    5/13/09 in Durham, NC



    • Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Study

    (Resource provided by the ENCSN Steering Committee)

      The Interactive Metronome Study at East Carolina University

      Click here to download Interactive Metronome Study Brochure.

      Department of Occupational Therapy
      www.ecu.edu/ot

      Now recruiting for 20 new study participants!

      Title of Study: The Examination of Upper Extremity Movement Smoothness
      following Stroke post Intervention with Interactive Metronome®

      What is the Interactive Metronome®?

      The Interactive Metronome® (IM) combines the concept of a musical metronome with a patented technology program that accurately measures, assesses and improves a person’s rhythm and timing. It is an advanced assessment & treatment program developed to improve the processing abilities that affect motor planning and sequencing, which are central to human activity. This improvement, we hope, is extended in one’s daily activities in self care.

      IM addresses:
      1. Brain timing
      2. Rhythmicity
      3. Synchronicity
      4. Increasing the speed and coordination of informational signals within the brain
      5. Improving the processing abilities that affect attention, motor planning, and sequencing
      6. Coordination

      What do we hope to learn?

      The purpose of this research study is to understand if participating in an occupational therapy intervention which uses IM treatment as a modality, has a positive effect on one’s motor abilities. The information from this study will help therapists better develop effective treatment plans for individuals who have difficulty performing their self care tasks.

      What do we need from you?

      As a participant in the study, you will complete 2 standard rehabilitation evaluations used to determine how effective you use your arms and hands. These set a baseline for use to see if there are improvements after participating in the research treatment sessions. These evaluations take about 30 minutes and ask you to move your arm and pick up and move simple objects. They will help the researchers measure the amount of movement your have in the arm, fingers, and hand. You will then be asked to participate in six Interactive Metronome® treatment sessions. Upon completing these sessions you will be asked to return to the OT Lab for a repeat of the two evaluations you took to establish your baseline scores.

      How Can I Participate?

      This study needs volunteers and help. Please contact the Dr. Leonard Trujillo or Annette Jones, OTR/L for information on how to get involved or to participate in the study.

      Leonard Trujillo
      252-744-6195 phone
      252-744-6198 fax
      trujillol@ecu.edu

      Annette Jones
      252-531-7011
      jonesanne@ecu.edu

    NCcareLINK, Community Post-Stroke Resource Database

    Go to https://www.nccarelink.gov/.

      Use the website to search for local community stroke resources, or to enter your own agency into the database! Users can search by health topic (stroke), keyword, and location (statewide, county, city, zip code, or address). The website database is a great reference for community members and stroke health care providers.