Abstract W P268: Developing a Stroke Coordinator Consortium: Past, Present, and Future

Background: The fourth leading cause of death for all Iowans is stroke. In 2006 the American Heart Association in collaboration with healthcare professionals formed the Iowa Stroke Task Force (ISTF). At that time Iowa had six certified Primary Stroke Centers (PSC). Several stroke coordinators were members of the ISTF; however they discovered that their specific needs were not addressed during ISTF meetings. Purpose: The purpose of the Iowa Stroke Coordinator Consortium (ISCC) is to provide an environment where sharing experiences leads to the collaboration of stroke coordinators to improve stroke care. Methods: The stroke coordinators involved with the ISTF developed a toolkit for stroke care. The toolkit was posted on the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative (IHC) website which is known to all hospitals in Iowa as a resource for promoting improvement in healthcare. After the creation of the toolkit the coordinators created their own group dedicated to addressing needs specific to stroke coordinators. The charter membership consisted of seven members. The ISCC membership is involved with providing guidance to non-PSC hospitals, and participating on several state committees. The ISCC meets quarterly to discuss process improvement and share information. Results: There are currently 17 certified PSCs and one certified Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC). Informal mentoring is evident through frequent exchanges of ideas occurring via email, phone calls, and at quarterly meetings. The founding members of ISCC serve as board members, and reach out to support new coordinators. ISCC members have conducted mock stroke drills as a statewide public awareness event and utilized a questionnaire at health fairs across the state to assess public knowledge on stroke symptoms and risk factors. Members of ISCC assisted with developing the Iowa Stroke Registry. The registry addresses stroke as a system of care in Iowa. Conclusions: In conclusion, the ISCC has provided an environment where sharing ideas and experiences led to the collaboration of stroke coordinators across the state to improve care through information sharing and increasing the number of certified stroke centers. The future of the group is continued collaboration and formalizing a mentorship program.