A refreshed edition of the Quality-Based Procedures (QBP): Clinical Handbook for Stroke (Acute and Postacute), has been released by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), in partnership with Health Quality Ontario (HQO) and the Ontario Stroke Network (OSN). The handbook became effective April 1 2017. Webinars are being delivered highlighting the specific changes– don’t miss registering for the webinar coming up on April 19th! If you can’t make it, view it on line. Best practice recommendations for Endovascular Treatment (EVT) have been added to the acute episode of care. Additionally, the Ontario Stroke Network revised Stroke Unit definition has been added to Module 3a.A provincial process has been established to support regional access to EVT building on existing processes for accessing tPA (e.g. through bypass and walk-in protocols) and considers time, distance, clinical presentation, imaging and use of CritiCall Ontario to facilitate referral and transfer. Kingston General Hospital is delivering EVT from 8 to 4 Monday to Friday and is actively planning on moving to 24/7 delivery in the coming year. A time-sensitive transfer process has been put in place with Quinte Health Care – Belleville, a telestroke site. For more information please feel free to contact Cally Martin at martinc@kgh.kari.net
Fewer strokes. Better outcomes.