The state board nursing practice standards influence the care outcomes of patients with stroke. For example, nursing practice standards requiring the utilization of patient-centered models of care have been shown to enhance the safety, quality and efficiency of care given to stroke patients and their families. Patient-centeredness in stroke management increases the confidence of the patients and their significant others in the effective management, rehabilitation, and recovery from stroke. According to the research by Bennett (2017), the adoption of patient-centered standards in stroke management enhances coping, empowerment, and recovery among stroke patients, hence, their optimal health and wellbeing. National guidelines such as those developed by the American Heart Association also guide the interventions used in stroke prevention and management. Nurses have to ensure that the care interventions align with those provided by the association to ensure optimum care outcomes.
As noted above, nurses have critical roles to play in policy making to improve outcomes, prevent illnesses, and reduce hospital readmissions among patients with stroke. They participate in the formulation and implementation of policies that focus on health promotion and disease prevention. They advocate the implementation of policies that increase the need for creation of public awareness through health education on issues related to stroke. Nurses also implement policies that underpin the use of evidence-based interventions in stroke management to optimize the care outcomes. They also implement policies that encourage innovation through technology use in stroke prevention and management. The local, state and federal legislations influence my scope of nursing practice within the context of stroke prevention and management (Loft et al., 2017). The legislations strengthen the improvement of nursing practices and standards to address the care needs of the patients.
Effective leadership is needed for the prevention and management of stroke. Nurse leaders should demonstrate effective leadership that empowers nurses, patients, and their families to play a proactive role in the prevention, and optimal management of stroke. Leadership strategies such as active collaboration increase the competencies of the nurses in the prevention and management of stroke. Open communication increases trust that nurses, patients, and their families have towards the interventions used in stroke prevention and management (Murray et al., 2018). Effective leadership also creates culture of safety and quality in stroke care for the optimum care needs of the patients.
One of the roles that leadership must play in addressing the issue of stroke is encouraging evidence-based practice in their institutions. Leaders in healthcare must implement interventions that eliminate barriers to evidence-based practice in stroke management and prevention. Nurse leaders must also encourage inter-professional collaboration in their settings to ensure enhanced safety, quality and efficiency of patient care. The collaboration strategies that will be needed to address the problem includes setting realistic goals for treatment, modeling effective behaviors, defining and assigning roles to team members, and promoting creativity and innovation. The communication strategies that will be needed include open communication, clarity and consistency in communicating the strategies needed to promote the health of stroke patients and their families. The change management strategies that are needed to address the health needs of stroke patients and their families includes training, active stakeholder involvement, open communication, and provision of coaching and mentorship opportunities to facilitate change (Jones & Bennett, 2018).
Stroke is a critical public health concern in America, as it is a leading cause of mortality and disability. Evidence-based interventions are needed in stroke prevention and management. Nurses utilize state board standards to ensure optimum health and wellbeing of stroke patients and their families. Effective leadership is needed to ensure the utilization of best practices in stroke prevention and management.
Adeoye, O., Nyström, K. V., Yavagal, D. R., Luciano, J., Nogueira, R. G., Zorowitz, R. D., Khalessi, A. A., Bushnell, C., Barsan, W. G., Panagos, P., Alberts, M. J., Tiner, A. C., Schwamm, L. H., & Jauch, E. C. (2019). Recommendations for the Establishment of Stroke Systems of Care: A 2019 Update. Stroke, 50(7), e187–e210. https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0000000000000173
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