International journal of evidence-based healthcare
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Int J Evid Based Healthc · Mar 2021
Nutrition and hydration management among stroke patients in inpatient rehabilitation: a best practice implementation project.
In 2012 in Australia, stroke was the cause of 11 791 deaths and affected the lives of over 420 000 survivors. Survivors experience significant physical and cognitive deficits; and accumulate a 43% risk of subsequent stroke. Effective evidence-based management of stroke is essential. The Stroke Foundation released Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management in 2017. Within these guidelines, nutrition and hydration are recognized as important aspects of poststroke management. Audit criteria drawn from the guidelines focussed on the role of multidisciplinary screening, assessment, monitoring and treatment of dehydration and malnutrition; as well as provision of nutrition education and counselling relating to secondary prevention of stroke. The implementation team included dietetics, medical and nursing staff. The project was completed in the stroke unit at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre (Adelaide, South Australia). ⋯ The current project successfully increased knowledge of nutrition and hydration management for stroke survivors and more closely aligned inpatient management with best practice guidelines to improve health outcomes. It highlighted areas of focus moving forward and has prompted ongoing work for sustaining evidence-based practice change.