title: An outcomes approach to stroke care: the importance of teamwork and evidence-based nursing care.
abstract: The Quality in Acute Stroke Care (QASC) was a cluster randomised control trial (CRCT) which evaluated the effectiveness of evidence-based clinical treatment protocols for the management of fever, hyperglycaemia and swallowing, in conjunction with multidisciplinary team building workshops, and a standardised interactive staff education program (collectively known as the Fever, Sugar, Swallowing (FeSS) intervention) to improve patient outcomes 90-days. We found that patients cared for in stroke units who received our intervention were 15·7% more likely to be alive and independent 90 days following their stroke. They also had significantly: fewer episodes of fever, lower mean temperatures, lower mean blood glucose levels, and better screening for swallowing difficulties.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for ClinicalOutcomes Research, Australian Catholic University and Nursing Research Institute, St Vincent’s & Mater Health Sydney, Executive Suite Level 5, DeLacy Building, St Vincent’s Hospital, Victoria Rd, Darlinghurst 2010, NSW, Australia. sandy.middleton@acu.edu.au
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Middleton
mesh_terms: D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*