Abstract NS9: Retention of Stroke Education Provided During Hospitalization: Increasing Stroke Knowledge or Wasting Resources?

• Published in: Stroke (1970) 2014-02, Vol.45 (suppl_1)
• Main Authors: Handler, Diane, Alexandrov, Anne W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/str.45.suppl_1.ns9

Abstract only Background: Provision of stroke education for patients and/or family members is an accreditation and CMS requirement for Stroke Centers. However, little is known of the retention of educational content after hospital discharge. We sought to determine retention of stroke education content at 4-6 weeks post-hospital in a Midwest community hospital sample. Methods: From September 2010 to May 2013, patients or primary caregivers returning to our Stroke Clinic at 4-6 weeks post-discharge from 2 Joint Commission Primary Stroke Centers were tested to determine retention of stroke education presented during hospitalization. Test questions covered 4 stroke education components: Recognition of signs and symptoms; personal risk factors; 911 utilization; and, understanding prescribed medications to prevent stroke. Each test was tailored to contain content personalized to individual patient risk factors and medications. Results: A total of 198 patients completed testing, of which 49 (25%) scored 100% correct; 69 (35%) patients scored 75% correct, 49 (25%) patients scored 50% correct, 24 (12%) patients scored 25% correct, and 7 (3%) patients got all test questions wrong. Interestingly, the question most commonly graded as incorrect (n=117) related to understanding personal risk factors for stroke. Stroke signs and symptoms were incorrectly identified by 74 patients, and 52 patients did not correctly understand their medications; only 19 patients failed to identify use of the 911 system for new onset symptoms. Discussion: While stroke education is required during hospitalization, its value to retention of important information remains poorly understood. Given that retention of simple education (calling 911) was most successful during hospitalization, stroke patients and caregivers may be best supported by provision of simple sound-bytes of information, and then followed post-discharge with more advanced teaching.