Simulation-based quality improvement initiative to enhance identification and management of in-hospital strokes

Background: In-hospital strokes are associated with delayed recognition and poorer outcomes. Methods: A pre-post quality improvement project evaluated didactic education and simulation-based training for inpatient stroke recognition among cardiothoracic ICU nurses (n = 31). Outcomes included knowledge scores, simulation performance, and time to complete critical stroke-response actions. Results: Mean knowledge scores increased from (M = 86.77% to 93.87%, p < .001), and performance improved recognition and task management (p < .001). Total mean task completion time decreased from 144.35 to 105.29 seconds (p < .001). Conclusion: Simulation-based training significantly improved nurses’ knowledge, performance, and efficiency in managing in-hospital stroke events.

Duke Scholars

Author Nicole Blodgett School of Nursing