Abstract NS9: Nurse Advocacy in the Development of Outpatient Stroke Clinics: Led and Managed by Nurses

Background: Telestroke has significantly improved acute stroke care in intensive care and inpatient settings, but post discharge care has been lacking and fragmented resulting in poor secondary stroke prevention, post-stroke complications, and inadequate patient education. Immediate need for stroke follow up ignited the development of telemedicine outpatient stroke clinics led and managed by nurses and nurse practitioners. Nurses identified these gaps and advocated for telestroke clinics in rural areas. Purpose: The purpose of this program was to develop a nurse led telemedicine outpatient stroke clinic and improve access to expert neuro consults. Methods: Through affiliate relations with healthcare facilities and nurse advocacy, the continuity of stroke care in local communities was expanded to 2 telemedicine outpatient clinics. A specialized nurse practitioner was credentialed, privileged, and trained to conduct telemedicine appointments. Telehealth nurse coordinators trained clinics on the neurological...