New Stroke Prevention Guidelines: A Quick and Easy Guide
• Emergency department (ED)-based smoking interventions
• Identify AF and anticoagulation evaluation
• Hypertension screening
• Refer to therapeutic program for problem alcohol or drug abuse
• Implement programs to identify and treat risk factors in all patients at risk for stroke
The Bottom Line: The ED can play a very important role in providing services that can contribute to stroke prevention. Basic assessments, such as blood pressure measurement and evaluation for an irregular heart rhythm, can alert patients and their providers to such entities as hypertension or AF that may require interventions.
Although it might make a certain amount of intuitive sense, the effectiveness of ED-based screening, brief intervention, and referral for treatment of diabetes has not been established.
The role of preventive health services cannot be overemphasized in the prevention of stroke and its related disabilities. It is the responsibility of providers at every point of contact to recognize opportunities to identify and modify potential risk factors. System changes are needed to help implement care coordination and serve our aging population.
Prevention in the ED, and Preventive Services
The Basics
• Emergency department (ED)-based smoking interventions
• Identify AF and anticoagulation evaluation
• Hypertension screening
• Refer to therapeutic program for problem alcohol or drug abuse
• Implement programs to identify and treat risk factors in all patients at risk for stroke
The Bottom Line: The ED can play a very important role in providing services that can contribute to stroke prevention. Basic assessments, such as blood pressure measurement and evaluation for an irregular heart rhythm, can alert patients and their providers to such entities as hypertension or AF that may require interventions.
Although it might make a certain amount of intuitive sense, the effectiveness of ED-based screening, brief intervention, and referral for treatment of diabetes has not been established.
The role of preventive health services cannot be overemphasized in the prevention of stroke and its related disabilities. It is the responsibility of providers at every point of contact to recognize opportunities to identify and modify potential risk factors. System changes are needed to help implement care coordination and serve our aging population.
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