Abstract DP144: “Stroke”: A Personalized, Patient-Centered Education Tool for Empowering Recovery

Background: Strokes are a preventable disease modulated by patient recognition of early symptoms, controlling modifiable risk factors and early activation of care networks. Stroke is a patient-oriented education booklet designed to deliver individualized, disease-specific education based on each patient's assessed needs and recovery goals. Stroke was developed at a regional healthcare organization as part of a system wide program to address an identified needs gap in patient stroke education. During evaluation of the collected data, Stroke was updated to include social determinants of health, caregiver needs and health equity in congruence with Joint Commission Standards. Purpose: This study evaluates Stroke’s effectiveness in providing stroke patients/caregivers resources and education. Methods: Created by an interdisciplinary team, Stroke provides comprehensive education designed to be accessible to patients/caregivers at all levels of health literacy. The interactive workbook is designed to be completed by the patient with direct support from hospital staff. Stroke was implemented with all appropriate patients including those with TIA, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke or those identified with high risk factors. Stroke was also introduced as a secondary educational source in the community, long term care facilities and local stroke support group. Data were gathered via post hospitalization survey administered individually by phone call by Transitional Care Managers. Outcomes included four dichotomous measures of knowledge and one rating of overall care. Results: A total of 849 surveys were collected from 2023-2025. Statistically significant improvements were seen over time in patient awareness of follow up, risk factors, stroke s/s and overall stroke care. Realtime lessons included expanding Stroke’s delivery from nursing-only to an interdisciplinary team. Stroke was revised in real time based on feedback to include more community and caregiver-oriented resources. Conclusion: Stroke improved patient knowledge of stroke recognition, care and follow up. Personalized follow up via phone allowed reinforcement of stroke education post discharge. Stroke ’ s interactivity and accessibility empower and motivate patients/caregivers to keep learning post-discharge. Recommendations include using the Stroke model to create other diagnosis specific workbooks such as for MI. Expanding follow up education by using different modalities including EMR direct messaging.