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Chronic Disease > Cardiovascular Health > Indiana Stroke Prevention Task Force Indiana Stroke Prevention Task Force

The Indiana General Assembly enacted IC 16-41-41, established the Stroke Prevention Task Force.  In 2008, the Act was extended to 2012 and increased membership to 18. The ISPTF chair was Robert Flint, MD, PhD.

The mission of the ISPTF was to improve stroke outcomes in Indiana by meeting its legislative deliverables noted below.

Task Force

The Task Force consisted of eighteen (18) members:
  • The state health commissioner or the commissioner's designee.
  • The secretary of family and social services or the secretary's designee.
  • Two representatives of a stroke support organization.
  • Four physicians with an unlimited license to practice medicine under IC 25-22.5 and with expertise in stroke, including at least:  one physician; one neurologist; one physician with expertise in the area of cerebrovascular accidents; and one emergency care physician who is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
  • One health care provider who provides rehabilitative services to persons who have had a stroke.
  • One nurse with a license to practice under IC 25-23 and who has experience in the area of cerebrovascular accidents.

One representative nominated by the Indiana Hospital Association.

  • One representative from an emergency medical services organization or provider.
  • One representative from the Indiana Minority Health Coalition.
  • One stroke survivor or stroke survivor caregiver.
  • One recreational therapist who provides services to persons who have had a stroke.
  • One representative from the Indiana Primary Health Care Association.
  • One representative from the health insurance industry.
  • One clinical pharmacist who practices in the community and not in a hospital.

Duties of Task Force

The Task Force shall do the following (according to Section 9)
        (1) Prepare a report each year on the operation of the Task Force and submit to: the governor; the commissioner of the state department; and the legislative council. The report under this clause must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
        (2) Develop a standardized stroke template checklist for emergency medical services protocols to be used statewide.
        (3) Develop a thrombolytic checklist for emergency medical services personnel to use.
        (4) Develop standardized dispatcher training modules.
        (5) Develop a yearly training update and continuing education unit for first responders that includes the Cincinnati Stroke Scale.
        (6) Develop an integrated curriculum for providers, including: emergency medical services personnel; hospitals; first responders; physicians; and emergency room staff.
        (7) Develop a standard template of protocols that include thrombolytic treatment.
        (8) Create a more refined and specific hospital survey stroke assessment tool to assess the capability of hospitals in treating patients who have had strokes.
        (9) Research the feasibility of a state based primary stroke center certification program.
        (10) Develop a stroke survivor mentor program targeting survivors after rehabilitation is complete.
        (11) Distribute the rehabilitation survey developed by the Great Lakes Stroke Network throughout Indiana to freestanding rehabilitation hospitals.
        (12) Implement a statewide patient and community education initiative targeting at-risk populations in Indiana.
        (13) Investigate the use of telemedicine in Indiana for the treatment of neurologic and radiologic stroke patients.

Stroke Rehabilitation Survey Results

The Indiana Stroke Prevention Task Force conducted a survey that was developed and validated by the Great Lakes Regional Stroke Network.   The survey was sent to inpatient and freestanding rehabilitation centers in Indiana for the purpose of determining availability and need for stroke rehabilitation services.  

Ten topics addressed  
1. Survey respondent’s facility description,
2. Therapy programs offered
3. Services or programs offered
4. Discharge/follow-up programs
5. CARF Stroke Specialty accreditation
6. Outcome measures collected
7. Format preferences for staff continuing education
8. Biggest challenges to provide rehabilitation services to stroke survivors
9. Stroke rehabilitation research or clinical trial involvement
10. Stroke related topics of interest for continuing education

Results (47% response rate)
• Most facilities offer Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Pathology as services
• Most frequently offered programs were patient/family education, social services and dietitian
• After discharge most facilities offer outpatient therapy
• Six facilities were accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and six were considering this accreditation
• Four facilities were involved with stroke rehabilitation research or clinical trials
• Most frequent outcome measures were discharge of patients home, the FIM (functional independence measure) and dysphagia screens
• The biggest challenges to providing stroke rehabilitation were insurance, family support and transportation

Based on the results, the Indiana Stroke Prevention Task Force identified three priority areas:
1. Work with insurance on guidelines
2. Start peer mentoring programs
3. Provide continuing education specific to stroke population

Stroke Rehabilitation Center Survey Results

Guidelines

Stroke Management

Stroke Management: EMS

  • Background
  • Survey Results
  • Templates

Stroke Management: Hospital

Stroke Management: Rehabilitation and Long Term

Slide Presentations of ISPTF Members

 

Symposia

Stroke Symposium - 2007

Indiana Stroke Prevention Task Force 2007; Robert Flint, MD
TIA: The Near Miss; Robert Flint, MD
EMS: Not Just a Ride to the Hospital; Robert Atkins, MD
Rehab: Different Strokes for Different Folks; Vicki Scott, MS, CTRS
Case Studies; Robert Flint, MD

Rehab Symposium - 2009

  • Symposium Brochure
  • Presentations
    • ShareGivers Program Overview; Tamilyn Bakas, Pat Rueth
    Stroke: The Indiana Stroke Prevention Task Force EMS Assessment and Beyond; Robert Atkins, NREMT-T

    Stroke Symposium - 2010

    Indiana Stroke Prevention Task Force 2010; Robert Flint, MD
    Teleneurology: The National ; Chris Fanale, MD
    Pre-Hospital Stroke Care; Robert Atkins, NREMT-P, AEMD
    Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Certification; Gregory Poe, MHA
    Stroke Systems of Care: Ft. Wayne - Stroke Care Now; Mike GeRue, NREMT-P, AEMD 
     

    Links

    National Stroke Association Online Stroke Caregiver Community

    AHA Stroke Statement & Guidelines

    IN Assoc for Home & Hospice Care

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