Term Paper on "Stroke and Post Rehabilitation"

Term Paper 5 pages (1391 words) Sources: 4 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Stroke and Post Rehabilitation stroke can be a severely debilitation experience for many people, but some studies have shown that, timely diagnosed and administered, there are a wide range of rehabilitation regimens available that can mitigate and even avoid some of the more pronounced consequences. To this end, this paper provides an overview of the importance of rehabilitation to stroke victims and what post rehabilitation techniques have been found effective, followed by a discussion of what healthcare providers in general and nursing practitioners in particular can do to facilitate such rehabilitation regimens. A summary of the research and important findings are provided in the conclusion.

Review and Discussion

The rapidly aging population in the United States has experienced an increasing incidence of strokes in recent years (Ashih, Duncan, Lai, Matchar, Parmiagiani, & Samsa, 2004), and today, strokes are a major health problem in the United States and worldwide (Antai-Otong, 2004). Because strokes can occur without giving any type of warning, though, it is difficult to determine who is at risk (Goff, 2000). The American Heart Association reports that approximately 600,000 Americans experience a first stroke or recurring strokes every year, making strokes the third-leading cause of death (about 160,000 annually) in the United States, ranking only behind heart disease and cancer (Goff, 2000). According to this author, "A majority of stroke victims who survive have some form of permanent disability, and the American Stroke Association estimates that stroke rehabilitation is a $45.3 billion business" (Goff, 2000, p. 30). While the risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after people reach age 55 years, strokes also affect younger people, even in children as the result of complications from other conditions (Goff, 2000). Researchers are still investigating genetic links and vitamin B deficiencies as potential sources of the higher incidences of stroke in younger people (Goff, 2000).

The need for timely and aggressive rehabilitation interventions for stroke patients is well documented with defined and measurable metrics that can be used to assess efficacy. For example, in their study, "Successful experiences with clinical pathways in rehabilitation," Haley, Quigley, Smith and Strugar (1998) report that, "The purposes of rehabilitation are to prevent complications, restore abilities, and facilitate community transitions. Each aspect of the rehabilitation mission is potentially measurable through program evaluation measures" (p. 29). Some examples of rehabilitation program components that are amenable to on-going evaluation include: (a) access to rehabilitation services, (b) functional outcomes, (d) patient satisfaction, and (d) discharge planning (Haley et al., 1998). Furthermore, time is of the essence is developing and administering rehabilitation services for stroke patients: "It is more important than ever for people -- particularly those in high-risk groups -- to get immediate help if they suspect they are having or have had a stroke. New drug therapies have worked very well on stroke patients, but they must be administered within three hours of the attack" (Goff, 2000, p. 30). Although it is difficult to identify potential stroke victims in advance, patients can recognize a stroke by the symptoms which may present as a weakness (especially on one side; trouble communicating; vision problems; sudden, severe headaches; and problems with coordination). No matter what type of stroke symptom is experienced, though, Goff emphasizes that, "It is very important to recognize the symptoms and call your doctor. Every minute counts" (2000, p. 30). Likewise, according to Ashih and her colleagues, stroke victims have a "window" of opportunity within which rehabilitation services are considered most effective: "Recovery from stroke is typically rapid during the first 30 days post-stroke, than slows and reaches a plateau within 3-6 months" (p. 273).

From a nursing perspective, the health and wellness of stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation treatment can be considered on several levels that involve the patient, the community, and the systems that control the interactions within the social and physical environments; therefore, healthcare providers in general and nurses in particular are in an excellent position to promote health and wellness activities at each of these levels, a result that is supported by previous studies (Hart, Rintala, & Fuhrer, 1996). To help address these multi-level dimensions of the rehabilitation for stroke patients, Haley and his associates (1998)… READ MORE

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