159: Nurse Led Stroke Alert Process with Kat Siaron RN

About this episode

This episode discusses the nurse-led stroke alert process and its impact on improving inpatient stroke response times.

"There has to be a better way." We've all thought it. This episode is proof that nurses can be the ones to make it happen. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Kat Siaron, rapid response nurse and co-author of the RRT STAR study that shows what happens when nurses are empowered to act before a clear stroke diagnosis is made. They walk through a patient case that exposed a dangerous gap in inpatient stroke response, traps like sedation hangover that mask stroke presentations, and how the nurse-led Code Stroke process has drastically improved time to crucial intervention. You'll hear about the step-by-step workflow, where rapid response nurses and physicians fit in, and how you can advocate for change in your hospital. Topics discussed in this episode: The patient case that led to Kat’s RRT STAR study Why inpatient stroke times lag behind ER stroke times The consequences of ordering stat CT instead of Code Stroke Symptoms and prognosis of basilar stroke The step-by-step Code Stroke process The rapid response team's role in stroke activation Results and impact of the study How they overcame pushback to drive institutional change Stroke mimics and what to do next How to advocate for a…

People in this episode

Host: Sarah Lorenzini

Guest: Kat Siaron

Topics covered

• nurse-led stroke alert
• inpatient stroke response
• rapid response teams
• Code Stroke process
• advocacy for change

Keywords

• stroke alert
• nurse empowerment
• patient case
• Code Stroke
• rapid response nurse
• inpatient stroke
• sedation hangover
• institutional change

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: RRT STAR study

Books & works: Use of Rapid Response Teams to Expedite Imaging and Treatment for Inpatients With Acute Stroke

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