A Unique Approach to Quality Improvement Within the Stroke System of Care Utilizing Developmental Evaluation. Issue 2 (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zusevics, Kaija L.; Kaemmerer, Nicole (Nikke); Lang, Joshua; Link, Jessica; Bluma, Dorothy (Dot)
• Is Part Of: Health promotion practice. Volume 22:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 224
• Page End: 235
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: evaluation methods -- program planning and evaluation -- chronic disease -- process evaluation -- partnerships/coalitions -- environmental and systems change; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- United States -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Health education -- United States -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1177/1524839919894305
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1524-8399

Abstract

Stroke is a significant cause of death that requires multiple systems of care to work together to prevent incidence and improve patient outcomes. The Wisconsin Coverdell Stroke Program partnered with a Model Hospital to understand and improve the stroke system of care in one community. Developmental evaluation (DE) is an approach in which evaluators collaborate closely with project stakeholders to examine complex processes and systems within changeable contexts to develop interventions to improve outcomes. DE was used to assess this community's stroke systems across the care continuum through process mapping with Model Hospital staff and through key stakeholder interviews with Model Hospital and emergency medical services staff, patients, and caregivers. Process mapping identified how patients and health care data flow through the system of care and highlighted areas where streamlining could improve the movement of patients and data across the care continuum. Interviews with stakeholders unveiled challenges and successes about how patient data are accessed and shared across the care continuum, and ideas for improving systems to be more efficient and supportive of stroke prevention and patient outcomes. Overall, DE was valuable in gaining an in-depth understanding of this complex environment to develop strategies to enhance stroke systems of care.