Stroke: the critically neglected first year post-stroke

Purpose Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the USA and worldwide. While stroke care has evolved dramatically, many new acute approaches to therapy focus only on the first 3-12 hours. Significant treatment opportunities beyond the first 12 hours can play a major role in improving outcomes for stroke patients. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the issues that affect stroke care delivery for patients and caregivers and describe an integrated care model that can improve care across the continuum. Design/methodology/approach This paper details evidence-based research that documents current stroke care and efforts to improve care delivery. Further, an innovative integrated care model is described, and its novel application to stroke care is highlighted. Findings Stroke patients and caregivers face fragmented and poorly coordinated care systems as they move through specific stroke nodes of care, from acute emergency and in-hospital stay through recovery post-discharge at a care facility or at home, and can be addressed by applying a comprehensive, technology-enabled Integrated Stroke Practice Unit (ISPU) Model of Care. Originality/value This paper documents specific issues that impact stroke care and the utilization of integrated care delivery models to address them. Evidence-based research results document difficulties of current care delivery methods for stroke and the impact of that care delivery on patients and caregivers across each node of care. It offers an innovative ISPU model and highlights specific tenets of that model for readers.