Stroke Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 1 Issue 12

New Stroke Support Service

Source: North Tyneside Council

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: News Item

In a nutshell: A new service to support people with long-term aphasia after stroke has been launched in North Tyneside. The service, called CHANT (Communication Hub Aphasia North Tyneside) offers support and training opportunities to help stroke sufferers and their carers to adjust to their communication problems.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

Atrial fibrillation – detection and optimal therapy in primary care

Source: NHS Evidence Quality and Productivity

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Date of publication: November 2009

Publication type: Best practice

In a nutshell: Each year there are 16,000 strokes in patients who have atrial fibrillation. Warfarin reduces the risk of stroke by 50-70%, but an estimated 46% of patients who would benefit from anticoagulants are not receiving them. This case study outlines details of savings which have been made to NHS Trusts by identifying patients with atrial fibrillation and preventing stroke.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: The case study is based on a project run by the NHS Stroke Improvement Programme.

HSJ Award – Clinical Service Redesign

Source: Health Service Journal

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: News Item

In a nutshell: Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust has won the HSJ Clinical Service Redesign Award for their acute stroke service. Improvements in quality of care and reduced length of stay have led to savings of £500,000.

Length of publication: 1 page

Stroke pathway – delivering through improvement

Source: NHS Evidence – Quality and Productivity

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Date of publication: November 2009

Publication type: Best practice

In a nutshell: This case study describes how Chief Executives and senior leadership were supported to champion change and improvement in all areas of the stroke pathway. Improvements in quality included reductions in mortality, time spent in A&E and delays in CT scanning. Improvements in productivity included reductions in length of stay and readmissions.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: Case study provided by NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.

HSJ Award – World Class Commissioning

Source: Health Service Journal

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: News Item

In a nutshell: Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cardiac and Stroke Network and The Association of Greater Manchester PCT’s have won the HSJ World Class Commissioning Award. Their project links a new hyper-acute 24-hour service to enhanced district stroke services.

Length of publication: 1 page

Use of smokeless tobacco and risk of myocardial infarction

Source: BMJ 2009; 339: b3060

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Date of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: This systematic review with meta-analysis aims to assess whether people who use smokeless tobacco products are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The data comes from observational studies conducted in Sweden and the US.

Length of publication: 6 page article

Short-Term and Long-Term Risk of Incident Ischemic Stroke After Transient Ischemic Attack

Source: Stroke 2009 Dec 3. [Epub ahead of print]

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: This study aims to estimate the long and short term relative risks of stroke associated with transient ischemic attack using data from a population-based case-control study.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: New Documents Bulletin

Antidepressant use and risk of incident cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among postmenopausal women in the women’s health initiative study.

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine 2009; 169 (22): 2128-2139

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: This prospective cohort study investigates the link between antidepressant use and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in postmenopausal women. The study found that there were no significant differences between SSRI and TCA use in risk of CHD, stroke, or mortality. Tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs were associated with increased risk of mortality, and SSRIs with increased risk of hemorrhagic and fatal stroke, although absolute event risks are low.

Length of publication: 12 page article

Obstructive sleep apnea and stroke

Source: Chest 2009; 136: 1668-1677

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: This study investigates the link between obstructive sleep apnoea and stroke and considers if it would be cost-effective to screen for and treat sleep apnea once stroke has occurred.

Length of publication: 10 page article

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