Form for Submission of Stroke -Related Materials for this Website By Institutions
The Virginia Stroke Systems Task Force (VSSTF) is currently making
available health care materials to hospital professionals to utilize and
amend for their own institution's needs. Among these materials is a
suggested "Stroke Discharge Packet". Within this standardized packet
you will find sample items on the topic from risk factors and
medications, to transition planning and local contacts for recovery. It
is our goal to gather additional resources from all willing Primary
Stroke Centers in the Commonwealth to improve our knowledge library and
support a community of sharing.
In this process, we invite your institution to contribute any
stroke-related materials that are not currently posted on the site. For
submission of materials, please contact Ms. Barbara White at
bjw5a@virginia.edu with your request. She will provide the appropriate
submission documentation, along with a letter of consent from the
authorizing organization. Once the items have been reviewed,
notification of approval will be sent back along with a link to the site
of placement.
Stroke Discharge Packet
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA) and the Virginia Stroke Systems Task Force recommend that hospitals use a standardized discharge packet that educates stroke patients and families on secondary prevention and available resources.
The facility should provide discharge information to all stroke patients, including a thorough review of the packet with the patient and family members. The standardized packet should be customized to address individual patient and family needs. Click on the links below to access examples of each document.
Hospitals should use a Standardized Discharge Packet that educates stroke patients and families on:
• Risk Factors (individual listing)
• Medications (individual listing)
• Stroke Warning Signs
• Information on Follow-up After Discharge
• Rehabilitation Options and the availability of time sensitive therapy
• Early Rehabilitation Information
• Long-term Rehabilitation Information
• EMS Activation
• Care Givers’ Guide
• Patient Education Check List
• Websites for Educational Demonstration Models of Disease
• Discharge Instructions – individualized information
• Post-stroke Support (local flyers examples, state/national listings)
AHA Stroke Group Locator (by zip code) Click here
• Stroke Advocacy (including legislative)
• Additional Early Rehabilitation Information
• Transition Planning, including end-of-life, if appropriate
• Contact list for departments or individuals at your facility who
may help with their recovery, including social services
OTHER MATERIALS FOR STROKE EDUCATION (Acute care):
• Cover letter – Introduction to stroke team
• Basics of Stroke Disease
• Description of Stroke Testing
• How Stroke is Diagnosed
• Glossary of Stroke Terms
• Description of Stroke Surgery
• Stroke Medications (general review of types/broad categories)
• Acute Stroke Interventions
• Common Stroke Complications
• Stroke Clinical Trial Information
• What Is the State of Virginia is Doing to Improve Stroke Care?
Additional support materials and sample documents can be found at:
• Get With The Guidelines Stroke Toolbox: Get With the Guidelines Stroke Toolbox
• Acute Stroke Treatment Program: Click here for Acute Stroke Treatment Program
• Free downloadable patient information sheets (English & Spanish): Click here for free downloadable patient information sheets (English & Spanish)
• Free download / modifiable Stroke Discharge Packet – Further develop and add to, as needed. Note tables such as the Medication List and Upcoming Appointments are expandable, and/or you can attach additional sheets that your facility may already be using.
Click here for the Modifiable Stroke Discharge Packet
VSS Website Disclaimer
The following disclaimer will apply to all materials listed:
VSS Website Disclaimer:
The information, opinions, and content contained on this Web Site are not necessarily
always those of VSS or endorsed by VSS. VSS provides links to other third-party
websites, which are provided for convenience only, and VSS does not endorse the
information contained on or warrant any third-party website.
Medical Information
[i]The medical information contained in this web site is designed to be used only as a
medical and educational reference tool. It is not intended to be used as a diagnostic
decision-making system and must not be used to replace or overrule a physician's
judgment or diagnosis. The responsibility for decisions regarding actual patient care
rests solely with the physician treating a patient. While we try to keep the information as
accurate as possible, we disclaim any implied warranty or representation about its
accuracy, completeness, or appropriateness for a particular purpose. Please note that the
stroke protocols are subject to change without notice. Scientists and healthcare providers
continue to refine the current treatments for stroke and develop other treatments. Users
are reminded to be aware of the effective date of a guideline and to consider whether
more current information may be available from other sources. The approach to each
patient should be individualized to fit the particular needs of the patient and the available
resources of the stroke team.[/i]
Your Responsibility
You assume full responsibility for using the information at this site, and you understand
and agree that VSS and those institutions listing materials and their affiliates are not
responsible or liable for any claim, loss, or damage resulting from its use.
If you would like assistance developing acute stroke guidelines for your own institution,
please contact the VSS Ambassador Panel email: [url=http://www.va.strokesystems@heart.org]