Paper
Monday, November 14, 2005
Nursing Rehabilitation Guideline for Stroke Patients: The Development of an Evidence-Based Guideline
Saskia Weldam, NIA, Division of Neuroscience, Rudolph Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, Marijke Rensink, MD, Faculty Chair for Chronically Ill, Faculty of Health Care, University of Professional Eduction, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, and Thora Hafsteinsdottir, PhD, Division of Neuroscience, Rudolph Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
| Learning Objective #1: Gain some insight into the latest evidence concerning rehabilitation nursing of patients with stroke |
| Learning Objective #2: Define some effective nursing interventions which may be helpful for stroke patients and the main steps in developing guidelines |
Objective Rehabilitation nursing of stroke patients in the Netherlands has mainly followed the principles of the Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT), despite the lack of evidence for its effects. Clinical guidelines and rehabilitation approaches developed are not practical for nurses to use in the daily care of these patients. The aim of this study is to develop an evidence based nursing rehabilitation guideline that nurses can use in the daily care of stroke patients. Methods The rehabilitation guideline is developed according to the Scottisch Intercollegial Guidelines Network (SIGN) method. We used the steps: 1) Defining the remit and the central theme's of the guideline; 2) Conducting systematic reviews of the literature, with the grading and synthesis of the evidence according to the Cochrane method; 3) Writing a draft guideline; 4) Testing the draft guideline with the following expert groups: academic professionals involved in stroke care; nurses - the future users of the guideline; stroke patients. 5) Testing the guideline in the practice; 6) Writing the definite guideline. The effects of the guideline will be measured in another study. Results: At this moment we have finished step one for all the central theme's. We are finishing systematic reviews on functional mobility, Activities of Daily Living, nutrition, communication, nursing rehabilitation role. A first draft of the guideline on these themes is being written. Reviews on other themes are being conducted. Conclusion: By using this nursing rehabilitation guideline for the daily care of patients with stroke nurses will use new approaches which are based on evidence and which do not only focus on the physical aspects of care but also on the psychological aspects and the overall Quality of Life of these patients, making the care of these patients more efficient.