Abstract DP190: Closing the Gaps: Nurse Stroke Champions Transforming Stroke Care

Background: Enhancing stroke care outcomes necessitates strict adherence to evidence-based protocols, robust interdisciplinary collaboration, and ongoing quality surveillance. Performance data from an academic medical center identified areas for improvement in emergency department (ED) neurological assessments and post-procedural monitoring. To address these gaps, a Stroke Champions Committee (SCC) was formed using a shared governance framework, empowering frontline staff and fostering sustainable quality improvement. Purpose: The SCC aimed to elevate stroke care quality by empowering nursing staff to engage in decision-making, apply evidence-based practices, and track outcomes through data analysis and feedback. Methods: The SCC comprises nurses from the ED, neuroscience intensive care unit, cath lab, and neuroscience stepdown unit. The SCC committee meets monthly to review performance data, identify care gaps, and implement targeted interventions. Progress and outcomes are reported quarterly to the Stroke Quality Improvement Committee. Interventions have included staff education, the use of standardized tools, and accountability measures such as timer-based documentation for groin and pulse checks post-procedure. Results: A targeted initiative focused on improving ED neurological assessment documentation, which had a baseline compliance rate of 70–73% in April–May 2024. Following SCC-led interventions, compliance improved to 92.5% by June 2024, peaked at 100% in October 2024, and remained consistently above the 80% target through March 2025 (ranging from 86–94%). Similarly, compliance with post-procedural groin and pulse checks improved from 50% in Q4 2023 to 93% by Q1 2025. These outcomes underscore the effectiveness of structured interventions, nurse-driven collaboration, and shared accountability in driving sustained quality improvement. Conclusions: A shared governance model can effectively translate nurse engagement across diverse stroke care units into measurable improvements in care quality. The SCC serves as a replicable framework for institutions aiming to strengthen stroke systems, maintain protocol adherence, and empower nursing staff through collaborative leadership.