"There has to be a better way." We've all thought it. This episode is proof that nurses can be the ones to make it happen.

In this episode, Sarah is joined by Kat Siaron, rapid response nurse and co-author of the RRT STAR study that shows what happens when nurses are empowered to act before a clear stroke diagnosis is made. They walk through a patient case that exposed a dangerous gap in inpatient stroke response, traps like sedation hangover that mask stroke presentations, and how the nurse-led Code Stroke process has drastically improved time to crucial intervention.

You'll hear about the step-by-step workflow, where rapid response nurses and physicians fit in, and how you can advocate for change in your hospital.

Topics discussed in this episode:

The patient case that led to Kat’s RRT STAR study
Why inpatient stroke times lag behind ER stroke times
The consequences of ordering stat CT instead of Code Stroke
Symptoms and prognosis of basilar stroke
The step-by-step Code Stroke process
The rapid response team's role in stroke activation
Results and impact of the study
How they overcame pushback to drive institutional change
Stroke mimics and what to do next
How to advocate for a nurse-led stroke alert at your hospital

Read Kat’s article, “Use of Rapid Response Teams to Expedite Imaging and Treatment for Inpatients With Acute Stroke:”

https://aacnjournals.org/aacnacconline/article-abstract/36/4/317/32912/Use-of-Rapid-Response-Teams-to-Expedite-Imaging?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Mentioned in this episode:

CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/therapidresponsern ✅ Earn CE’s for listening to podcasts through RNegade: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/?ref=d9d541 SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE ⏱️ To get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Listen to the In The Heart of Care Podcast

https://link.cohostpodcasting.com/6598429e-e927-45b0-9b57-7dd34a09d803?d=seASyqjs7

159: Nurse Led Stroke Alert Process with Kat Siaron RN