Best Practices in Stroke

The Canadian Stroke Strategy responds to the frequently-reported findings that new research in stroke does not always reach physicians, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, hospital administrators, health ministries and, most importantly, patients. Additionally, best practices are not consistently applied, leaving a significant gap between what should be done and what is being done to provide quality stroke care across the continuum for all Canadians.

The goal of the Best Practices and Standards Working Group is to review, synthesize and recommend evidence-based best practices in stroke care across the continuum within a Canadian context.

The first phase of best practice development began in December 2005 and focuses on the development of a core set of recommendations across the continuum which are:

• supported by the highest levels of evidence, and/or
• considered essential in delivering best practice and integral to driving systems change.

Subsequent phases of best practice development will be broadened in both scope and specificity to address additional issues and topics relevant to quality stroke care.

The best practices serve as a starting point for provinces and territories as they move to implement stroke strategies and improve stroke care across the continuum of care.

The Core Best Practices are a result of an extensive review of national and international evidence-based stroke best practice recommendations and guidelines. They have undergone a rigorous review process and were publicly released in December 2006.

The 10th Edition of the Evidenced Based Review of Stroke Rehabilitation is now available. Please visit the website: www.ebrsr.com

See the new issue on CMAJ's website