Table 2 Aggregated ranked lists from survey 2
Importance ranking (10 = highest) | Feasibility ranking (10 = highest) | |
|---|---|---|
Ambulances should take patients with suspected stroke to a hospital that has a stroke unit and can perform thrombolysis or clot retrieval | 10 | 3 |
Stroke patients should be assessed by the stroke team in the emergency department, given an urgent brain scan (within 30–60 minutes), and if found to be eligible, given thrombolysis (up to 9 hours from the stroke or midpoint of sleep) and/or thrombectomy (up to 24 hours after they were last known to be well) | 9 | 5 |
All patients with stroke should be admitted to hospital and be treated in a stroke unit with an interdisciplinary team, made up of medical, nursing and allied health professionals | 8 | 2 |
Oral anticoagulation medication (blood thinners) should be prescribed for patients with ischaemic stroke and TIA who have atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) | 7 | 10 |
Early supported discharge, which links hospital rehab with services for community and home rehab, should be offered to patients with mild to moderate stroke, if the appropriate services are available | 6 | 1 |
Recovery goals should be set together with the stroke survivor, their family or carer, and the stroke team. The goals should be well-defined, specific and challenging, clearly documented, and reviewed and updated regularly | 5 | 9 |
Speech and language therapy should be given to stroke survivors with aphasia, to improve their ability to communicate their wants and needs | 4 | 7 |
All stroke survivors, their family and carers should be offered information that suits their individual needs and their language or communication requirements | 3 | 8 |
A comprehensive discharge care plan that addresses the patient's specific needs should be developed together with them and their carer before they are discharged from hospital | 2 | 6 |
Carers should be given tailored information and support at all stages of recovery, including opportunities to talk with the relevant health professionals about the stroke, what the stroke team does, test results, treatment and discharge plans, community services and contact details. It can be given before discharge or in the home, and can be face-to-face, over the phone or online | 1 | 4 |