A Multifaceted Approach to Improving Postischemic Stroke Dysphagia Screening at a Community Hospital.

Background: Dysphagia is a common complication seen in acute ischemic stroke patients, and can lead to morbidity and mortality. As such, quality measures have been instituted to track adherence to dysphagia screening in all stroke patients. In our 217-bed community hospital, we were faced with a low rate in successfully screening for dysphagia.

Where Does the Time Go? The Effect of Protocols for Stroke Last Known Well Documentation on Intravenous Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Delivery in the Northeast.

Background: Despite significant efforts to improve thrombolytic use in the United States, only a small number of patients with ischemic stroke are currently treated. Although there are a number of contraindications to tissue plasminogen activator use, many patients are excluded because of the narrow therapeutic time window, which is determined by the "last known well" (LKW) time. However, it is unclear how the LKW is obtained and documented in the acute hospital setting.