A stroke or also known as a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) is described as the effects of an interruption of the blood supply to the brain (Paez, 2014). There are 2 types of strokes. A hemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel ruptures and blood leaks into the brain. The second type of stroke is an ischemic stroke, the most common, is caused by a blood clot that impairs the blood flow to the brain. To be classified as a “stroke”, symptoms need to remain for more than 24 hours (Paez, 2014). The number of strokes increases with age and the number of elderly people in the US is on the increase. This means acute hospital settings see many stroke patients every day. Fifty percent of stroke survivors will experience physical and/or cognitive impairments. It is important that treatment and recovery is achieved as fast as possible (Stroke Association, 2004).
Physical Therapy has an important job in the management of stroke patients. They will do this through assessments, education to the patient, and acute and long term management treatments (Moser & Ward, 2000). It is important to recognize that each person should be considered an individual (Stroke Association, 2004).
Physical therapy management in the acute phase focuses on mobilization for the prevention of secondary impairments. For example, pressure ulcers and/or musculoskeletal problems such as joint stiffness and muscle contractures, which may be done actively or passively (Moser & Ward, 2000).
Gait training should be enforced in the acute setting (Stroke Association, 2004). As damage to a lower part of the brain, the cerebellum, can affect the body's ability to coordinate movement and may lead to problems with body posture, walking, and balance (Paez, 2014). It has been foun...
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...te of them immediately. Along with depression, the patient may lose their motivation. Physical therapists want to motivate the patient as much as possible during treatments (Pollock, 2004).
It is recommended that all staff working with stroke patients should take a range of continuing education classes covering acute rehabilitation care and how to address patient and care needs (NCGS, 2004). It is important that Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants are provided with regular training to keep up to date with evidence based practices and are able offer patients the most appropriate treatment (NCGS, 2004).
Keep in mind that there is still no single rehabilitation treatment confirmed that betters recovery, every patient is different (Pollock, 2004). Ideas suggests that task-specific training may result in improved and increased results (Pollock, 2004).
Physical therapists can either specialize in specific areas, like paralysis or orthopedics, or they can treat a broad range of needs. Physical therapy is divided into three basic categories: acute care, neuro-rehab, and outpatient physical therapy. I am particularly interested in acute care, which involves treating patients in the hospital setting. Acute care involves treating patients following surgery, restoring patients' physical activity following an accident or illness, and helping patients to overcome disabilities. Teaching home exercises, preparing rehab programs, and explaining how to use assistive devices are the acute care therapist's main jobs. On the other hand, neuro-rehab physical therapists deal with patients who have long-term injuries, such as spinal cord injuries. Finally, outpatient physical therapists are usually self-employed and generally treat patients in the home. ("Information" 7) All three types of physical therapists perform the same general tasks. The goal of physical therapy is to help patien...
The main aim of this report is to present and analyse the disease called Cerebrovascular Accident popularly known as stroke. This disease affects the cerebrovascular system, which is a part of the cardiovascular system. To achieve this aim this report will firstly talk about the cerebrovascular system with its structure and functions. The main body of this report will look at causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and prevention of stroke.
It is frequently expressed by stroke patients and caregivers that they have not been afforded the suitable information related to stroke, treatments, or post discharge management and recovery, and that the information conveyed is perceived as insufficient and complex. The problem is that there is a failure of healthcare professionals in identifying the learning needs of stroke patients associated with a deficiency in knowledge of just how to access and communicate this crucial information. Indeed, while patient education can be time consuming and nurses may not be properly trained in stroke education it is a nursing duty to provide these teachings to patients and caregivers prior to discharge. This paper will propose an educational plan intended to train, assist, and support nursing staff responsible for stroke patient education, in providing accurate, individualized, guideline based stroke education to patients and families prior to discharge. This plan
The WHO ICF model can be used to assess the quality of rehabilitation care and the impact of loss of body functions and structures, activities limitations, and contextual factors include the unique personal and environmental variables of each stroke patient in a sub-acute setting. The WHO ICF model defines activity and participation dimensions separately, and applies these dimensions as a singular construct when clinically qualifying and quantifying the consequences of a health condition (WHO,
As an Occupational Therapist, it is crucial to consider the wellbeing of Martha as a whole person. She is not merely a stroke patient. She is a homemaker, wife, and game enthusiast. Two conditions hindering her accomplishment of these meaningful occupations are her motor planning deficit and the lack of functionality in her right upper extremity (RUE). Martha has difficulty following multi- step commands, and relies heavily on the assistance of others with mobility, transfers, and activities of daily living (ADLs). Despite these, two of her strengths are her abilities to consistently answer yes/no questions by moving her head, and the mobility of her left upper extremity (LUE). She is alert and oriented to herself, and the strength and sensation in her LUE are within functional limits. These factors shape a client’s Occupational Therapy experience.
Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury both have detrimental effects on the body function. Commonly, they result in some levels of muscle weakness and paralysis. The complications after a stroke or a spinal cord injury negatively impact not only the patients’ health, but their quality of life. Therefore, it is important that rehabilitation therapy starts at an early stage after the incidence to enable the patients to adapt to their new conditions and maximise their life. Physical activity and exercise program are one of the most important part of rehabilitation, which help the patients to achieve better health outcomes and lifestyle.
People often know of strokes or someone affected by a stroke, but not always what constitutes a stroke. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or reduced due to a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel or artery that supplies blood to the brain. The interruption of blood flow deprives the brain of necessary nutrients and oxygen supplies, killing surrounding cells in the brain.
It goes without saying that everyone’s health is important and should be taken care carefully. Everyone has heard of strokes before but many people do not really know its meaning, types, and the number of individuals of that dies due to this issue. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015), strokes kills an average of 130,000 people a year and it is one of the most common deaths that happen in the United States. An average of 800,000 of people die from cardiovascular disease and strokes and it is also a reason of long-term disability (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Strokes, which can also be called cerebrovascular accident or CVA happen when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or the blood vessel going towards the brain burst. Then part of the brain dies or become seriously injured because the brain cells do not receive oxygen and they eventually die. People’s lifestyle may also impact seriously on their health and increase the possibility of having a stroke. Some of the risk that can severely increase the cause of stroke would be high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cigarette smoking, as well as strokes that
Fifty percent of stroke survivors will experience some residual impairment (physical and cognitive), which is devastating to the individual and their families (Rudd et al, 2002). It is therefore vital for patients and resources that maximum functional recovery is achieved as fast as possible. The physiotherapist has a key role to play in the management of stroke patients, through assessment, prevention strategies, acute management and recovery. This essay aims to critically discuss physiotherapeutic management and examine how it has and may be influenced by a number of factors (e.g. type of organized system for the delivery of post stroke care, setting of therapy, evidence based practice from which National Guidelines are produced etc). The first stage is to outline stroke pathology, of which forms the basis of appropriate management.
In summary, Hospital A will implement a new process for responding to in-hospital stroke calls. This new process will improve quality outcomes of patients experiencing in-hospital strokes. There are no additional costs involved in implementing this process. Data will be collected and reported for stroke measures previously outlined. Through researching this project, additional educational opportunities were identified. Hospital A will further explore these opportunities in the future.
This module has enabled the author to understand the concept of vulnerability, risk and resilience in relation to stroke. Therefore, it will contribute to her professional development and lifelong learning (NES, 2012). Additionally, the author has gained evidence based knowledge of person-centred care, compassion and self-awareness; all of which can be used to inform future practice (Miller, 2008). Consequently, she will be able to provide the appropriate level of care that can make a difference to a person’s recovery.
Throwing back a few years ago when I first decided to be an observer in a rehabilitation setting, I thought that physical therapy was nothing but magical which could change a disabled person who was unable to walk normally to a healthy walking person after a period of therapy. I used to believe that physical therapy can cure mostly all type of injuries and ailments. However, later on, I realized that it does not work that way. Remembering in a particular case, there is a patient who suffered the hemorrhagic stroke; she had to use the wheelchair all the time, her right hand is completely numb and she is not able to talk normally. After several months of arduous exercises with assisting of 2 physical therapists, she showed just a little of improvement in mobility and functioning. That patient could move in longer range compared to the first month, yet she was not able to bear weight without assistance. That case was significantly influenced my vision in this field. As a physical therapy student, the realistic expectation is critical. That student must be knowledgeable about what they can and can’t do and the limitation of this practice. Furthermore, another aspect of reality is understanding the own strength and weakness in a context of being a PT student. Being so overestimated about own abilities is a major
“Time is brain” is the repeated catch phrase when addressing the treatment and management of stroke (Saver, 2006). Access to prompt and appropriate medical care during the first few hours of stroke onset is critical to patient survival and outcomes. Recent changes in the guidelines for acute stroke care released by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association (ASA) have improved patient access to treatment. Stroke treatment now follows the model of myocardial infarction treatment. Hospitals are categorized into four levels based on stroke treatment capability. The most specialized treatment is available in comprehensive stroke centers followed by primary stroke centers, acute stroke-ready hospitals, and community hospitals. The use of telemedicine now enables even community hospitals, with limited specialized capabilities, to care for stroke patients. Telemedicine puts emergency hospital personnel in contact with neurologists providing expertise in the evaluation of a stroke patient and determination of their eligibility for treatment with thrombolytic medication (Jefferey, 2013).
McDonnell, M.N., Bryan, J., Smith, A.E., & Esterman, A.J. (2011). Assessing cognitive impairment following stroke. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 33(9), 945-953.
Traditional physiotherapy has been focusing on the restoration of sensorimotor function (e.g., Muscle strength, movement coordination, spasticity, balance) and performance in certain daily activities such as ambulation. However, relatively less attention is paid to community integration after stroke, which involves several important elements, including participation in activities at home or a homelike setting, engagement in productive activities, and establishment and enjoyment of a social network9. Apart from Concentrating on body and individual dimensions and promoting physical recovery and assisting in activities of daily living, a major challenge in stroke rehabilitation is to minimize psychosocial morbidity and to promote the reintegration of stroke survivors into their community. Despite favorable exercise methods having been achieved for people with stroke, questions remain as to why such exercise benefits are not necessarily linked to good levels of community participation. It may be that rehabilitation efforts need to be refined to achieve a satisfactory level of community.