Stroke Disease Management Program: Availability and Type

Strong Memorial Hospital offers a comprehensive stroke disease management program, which works to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes by using evidence-based interventions and a multi-disciplinary approach. The program encompasses all of the following:

--Population identification guidelines
--Evidence-based practice guidelines
--Collaborative practice models to include physician and support-service providers
--Patient self-management education (may include primary prevention, behavior modification programs, and compliance/ surveillance)
--Process and outcomes measurement, evaluation, and management
--Routine reporting/feedback loop (may include communication with patient, physician, health plan and ancillary providers, and practice profiling)

(Above bulleted components from the Disease Management Association of America (DMAA), as quoted in Circulation: June 1, 2004; 102(21); 2652-2654.)

A stroke can change the lives of stroke survivors and their family members due to the physical, social, emotional, and economic toll of the disease. To optimize health and well-being after a stroke, disease management programs have been developed.

Disease management programs are increasingly being used to help treat chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The term "disease management" typically refers to multidisciplinary efforts to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of care for select patients with chronic illness" (Circulation, June 1, 2004: 109(21); 2651-2654).