According to a study presented at the annual Canadian Stroke Congress, a new patient management system at the acute stroke unit of Kelowna (BC) General Hospital has reduced the number of stroke patient bed days by more than 25%. A news release from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada indicates that in total, it is estimated that the new system is saving the 380-bed hospital more than 1,000 bed days per year. This number represents an annual savings of up to $800,000 without any need for new investment devices or treatments.

The new program is called Proprietary Physician, or Pro-MD, and it involves assuring that one of the hospital’s five neurologists is always designated as responsible for best bed usage and patient flow on the acute stroke unit, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada news release. An important component of the program is that beyond the normal care received, the Pro-MD makes twice weekly rounds of all patients with the full care team, which includes the ward head nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and the patient’s family.

The meetings reportedly take only 30 to 45 minutes to discuss the typically half-dozen patients, and the result is the care team agreeing on the course of care. John B. Falconer, MD, author of the study, explains, “This brings everyone who needs to have input into decisions about a patient’s care together to agree on the action needed. This is very advantageous compared to formerly having to compare written notes from one another and wait for input from others.”

Falconer states, “It’s a win-win situation. Patients are better and more efficiently treated, the hospital saves resources and the morale of the whole unit is much better.” He adds, “It could perhaps be used in other areas of the hospital, but it’s particularly relevant to stroke care because of the many players involved and the crucial role the patient and family play in rehabilitation.”

Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada