Nursing at the centre of stroke recovery in the acute setting: prioritising early rehabilitation

Your doctor should be asking for the stroke rehabilitation prescription chart to see what their chart looks like to this one. If they don't do this they have their heads up their asses not wanting to know the best way to do things.
http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjnn.2016.12.1.23

Caroline WoonClinical Nurse Educator, Neurosciences and Stroke, Wellington Regional Hospital, New Zealand

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/bjnn.2016.12.1.23

Accepted: December 17, 2015

Published Online: February 26, 2016

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Early stroke rehabilitation is fundamental and should begin in the acute setting. Patient outcome is enhanced through effective multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary teamwork. Rehabilitation activities can be prescribed by members of the multidisciplinary team and coordinated by nursing staff. Nurses play an essential role, as they are available 24 hours per day and are well placed to oversee rehabilitation activities. These activities are carried out by the patient with the support of his or her family and the multidisciplinary team. Activities should increase in intensity as the patient improves. Education about the benefits of early rehabilitation and their role should be provided for health professionals, health care assistants, patients and their families. This article stresses the importance of prioritising stroke rehabilitation in the acute setting and emphasises the nurse's role. A stroke rehabilitation prescription chart is discussed.