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Stroke Care 
Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain (known as an ischemic stroke) or by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain (known as a hemorrhagic stroke). If a stroke occurs and blood flow cannot reach the area that controls a particular body function, that part of the body will not work as it should. Some signs and symptoms of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden severe headache with no known cause; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding; sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes; and/or sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.



Measures the number of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients who received appropriate treatment to prevent blood clots or have documentation why no treatment was given to prevent blood clots the day of or the day after hospital admission. Stroke patients are at an increased risk of developing blood clots; therefore, prevention is key. Measures the number of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients who received appropriate treatment to prevent blood clots or have documentation why no treatment was given to prevent blood clots the day of or the day after hospital admission. Stroke patients are at an increased risk of developing blood clots; therefore, prevention is key. Measures the number of ischemic stroke patients prescribed antithrombotic therapy at hospital discharge. Antithrombotics are a group of medications that decrease blood clot formation, which increases survival rates and decreases chances of a second stroke in stroke patients as long as no contraindications exist. Measures the number of ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter who are prescribed anticoagulation therapy at hospital discharge. Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm irregularity and is an important risk factor for stroke. It is very common in the older population. Anticoagulants are medications that stop blood from clotting. The administration of anticoagulation therapy, unless there are contraindications, is an effective strategy in preventing recurrent stroke in high stroke risk patients. Measures the number of acute ischemic stroke patients who arrive at the hospital within 2 hours of the time they begin having stroke symptoms and for whom received intravenous thrombolytics within 3 hours of the time they began having stroke symptoms. Thrombolytics help to dissolve blood clots that cause ischemic strokes and have proved to be beneficial in stroke improvement when used appropriately. Measures the number of ischemic stroke patients administered antithrombotic therapy by the end of hospital day 2. Antithrombotics are a group of medications that decrease blood clot formation, which increases survival rates and decreases chances of a second stroke in stroke patients as long as no contraindications exist. Measures the number of ischemic stroke patients with low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as "bad" cholesterol, greater than or equal to 100 mg/dL, or who were on a lipid-lowering medication prior to hospital arrival that were prescribed statin medication at hospital discharge. High levels of LDL in the blood are an important risk factor for stroke. Treatment of high LDLs with statin medications, which are cholesterol lowering medications, has proved to greatly reduce the recurrence of ischemic stroke and major heart-related diseases. Measures the number of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients or their caregivers who were given educational materials during the hospital stay addressing all of the following: activation of emergency medical system, need for follow-up after discharge, medications prescribed at discharge, risk factors for stroke, and warning signs and symptoms of stroke. Patient education should include information about the cause and treatment for specific kind of stroke, the role of various medications and strategies, and desirable lifestyle modifications to reduce risk of another stroke and improve the course of treatment. Measures the number of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients who were assessed for rehabilitation services. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. Stroke rehabilitation should begin as soon as the diagnosis of stroke is established and life-threatening problems are under control. The primary goal of rehabilitation is to prevent complications related to the stroke, minimize impairments caused by the stroke, and maximize function of the patient.