What is the Stroke Rehabilitation Process for Veterans?

FINAL-FOR THE VETERAN OF THE VETERAN SHARE OF THE DAY

The Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) directive began to incorporate best practices for stroke victims. When VA stroke victims accounted for 15,000+ cases per year, there needed to be a viable solution, which resulted in the stroke rehabilitation process for veterans!

The VA implemented a comprehensive program so stroke victims can start rehabilitating within six months of occurrence. The face-to-face team has members trained on all major stroke indicators and work aggressively on therapy for the veteran. Veterans in inpatient neurorehabilitation programs are likely to expect 90 minutes of therapy two times per day for a total of 3 hours of rehab daily.

Throughout the years, the VA revamped the AIS due to ongoing research and improved medical technology. Because of the study and effort to improve the program, it led to massive improvements in thrombolysis, which are blood clots within blood vessels such as the arteries. Thrombolysis affected the VA population from approximately 8 percent in 2007 to a staggering 67 percent in 2017.

AIS directive uses many resources to aid Veterans’ care and implement a solution to improve their quality of life. The AIS led to a stroke quality-improvement group, where best practices were incorporated over 56,000 veterans across VA facilities. The group is known as the Precision Monitoring (PRIS-M) QUERI and is a continuous effort to improve the overall care for VA stroke patients. The work involves telehealth and a monthly conference call to monitor the data following discharge from inpatient services.

Keep reading to find out more about the stroke rehabilitation process for veterans!