LGH stroke unit's national accreditation
LGH stroke team members with chief executive Jen Duncan, acting Director of Medicine Dr Matt Lee-Archer, 6D NUM Vanessa Fulton, Stroke CNC Carolyn Harrison, Acting Allied Health Director Nadia Zalucki, Clinical Lead Physiotherapy - Rehabilitation John Cannell and Lorinda Upton-Greer Nursing Director Critical and Acute inpatient services.
April 2023
Congratulations to the Launceston General Hospital stroke unit, which has received accreditation from the Australian Stroke Coalition as a Primary Stroke Centre.
It is the first stroke unit in Tasmania to receive this certification and one of only three units in Australia to achieve this status.
Stroke Unit Certification is recommended as a Quality Assurance and Improvement method by the World Health Organisation, the World Stroke Organisation and the Federal Government (through its Heart and Stroke Plan).
Adjudicators recently examined the LGH unit gathering documentation and meeting staff.
The organisation said the hospital demonstrated evidence of clinicians with stroke expertise and access to stroke education, evidence-based protocolised care, provision of thrombolytic therapy, access to rehabilitation services, clear coordination across various services including pre-hospital services, ED and acute stroke team, advanced imaging, and data collection for quality improvement, including participation in the Acute Audit.
“Stroke care at Launceston General Hospital is clearly supported by strong medical and multidisciplinary team involvement, demonstrating patient focussed processes and procedures led by Nurse Lead/Stroke CNC Carolyn Harrison.
“The team is commended with the introduction of the CNC shadowing program that aims to ensure a consistent CNC presence to influence the patient journey.
“It is impressive to see the current focus on risk screening and care planning that is underway with the piloting of a state-wide Comprehensive Care Plan."
Tasmania has one of the highest incidences of stroke per capita in Australia. A stroke can affect anyone at any age. In 2020, 24 percent of first-ever stroke occurred in people aged 54 years and under.