History

In 2003, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Stroke Network produced the Canadian Stroke Strategy 2003-2010, a national plan to reduce the burden of stroke on patients, their families and the medical system.

The national strategy identified gaps in service and treatment, and urged each province to develop its own stroke strategy. These strategies would cover the continuum of care for stroke, from risk reduction, diagnosis and treatment, through to patient rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

In 2004, several provinces began developing their own stroke strategies. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon led the initiative in British Columbia, working in partnership with agencies and organizations representing all organizations involved in stroke prevention and treatment. These include the BC Ministry of Health Services, British Columbia’s six Health Authorities, emergency room physicians, neurologists, physiatrists (doctors specializing in rehabilitation), patient groups, researchers and physiotherapists.

In 2005, the Steering Committee developed the BC Stroke Strategy, a comprehensive and integrated program in stroke prevention and care. The strategy is based on four pillars: Awareness and Prevention, Emergency and Acute Care, Rehabilitation and Reintegration, and Measurement and Evaluation.

In July 2006 and January 2007, the Heart and Stroke Foundation coordinated two provincial Stroke Summits attended by the Stroke Recovery Association, the Canadian Stroke Strategy, the BC Ministry of Health Services, heath care experts and British Columbia’s health authorities. These working sessions identified 10 priorities that would dramatically improve identification, treatment and rehabilitation in stroke care.

In 2007, the Heart and Stroke Foundation prepared Innovations in Stroke Care: A Powerful Business Case for Priority Interventions in British Columbia. This document outlines compelling financial and quality-of-life arguments to invest in stroke prevention and treatment in British Columbia. For more information about the business case, click here.

For a chronology of the BC Stroke Strategy, click here.

In 2007 and 2008, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon received $2.8 million from the B.C. government to advance the following priority areas:

ER Stroke / TIA Protocols
Update and standardize emergency room protocols for stroke treatments, and assist all ERs in B.C. to implement best practices in emergency stroke care.

TIA Rapid Assessment
Improve early identification and treatment of TIAs (transient ischemetic attacks, or mini-strokes) by providing neurological assessment within 48-72 hours. Ensure that individuals who have experienced a TIA receive rapid follow-up treatment in the community after they have been discharged from hospital.

Telestroke
Merge acute stroke therapies and telemedicine, allowing stroke specialists to assist emergency room physicians in evaluating and managing acute ischemic stroke with advanced information and communications technologies.

Rehabilitation and Community Integration
Identify gaps and improve rehabilitation for stroke survivors in all stages of treatment and recovery. This will reduce disability and impairment, and help survivors reintegrate into their community.

Stroke Measurement and Evaluation
Accurately measure and track the incidence of stroke and effect of stroke treatment. Monitor the progress of the Stroke Strategy in preventing and reducing the impact and cost of strokes.

Hyper Acute Stroke Capacity
In June, the Ministry provided an extra $1 million for a sixth priority: to develop and apply a B.C.-wide framework of care levels and designated hospital sites for treating acute stroke. This will help align all resources with best medical practices, giving every British Columbian access to optimal hyper acute stroke (hot stroke) care at the right time, and at the right place.