General Stroke Resources

DISCLAIMER: The information in this resource centre represents general guidance based on current practice and available evidence. The documents in the resource centre were developed by provincial clinical experts, reflecting best knowledge at the time of writing, and is subject to revision based on changing circumstances and conditions. This information is intended to be “guidance rather than directive,” and is not meant to replace clinical judgment. Reference to Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the documents should not replace or supersede the IPAC and PPE protocols or directives in place at your hospital.

General

• Aphasia Institute – Does Your Family Member Have Aphasia Pamphlet
• Aphasia Institute – COVID-19 Resources
• HSF_CSBP Resources - Stroke Best Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• NEJM Correspondence - Collateral Effect of Covid-19 on Stroke Evaluation in the United States (May 11, 2020)
• HSF Podcast - Healthcare insights during COVID-19: Stroke systems of care (May 1, 2020)
• AHA Journals – Challenges and Potential Solutions of Stroke Care During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak (April 2, 2020)
• AHA Journals – Protected Code Stroke Hyperacute Stroke Management During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Protected Code Stroke (March 26, 2020)
• NCBI – Crisis Resource Management and High-Performing Teams in Hyperacute Stroke Care (August 13, 2020)

Public Awareness

• AI Poster – Go to Hospital (May 24, 2020)
• NEJM Catalyst Article - Where Are All the Patients? Addressing Covid-19 Fear to Encourage Sick Patients to Seek Emergency Care (May 14, 2020)
• HSF Poster - FAST - Stroke is a Medical Emergency (May 11, 2020)
• KHSC Video - Stroke Information and why to act FAST (May 6, 2020)
• HSF Advice - Coronavirus, heart disease and stroke (March 23, 2020)

National/International Guidelines

• HSF CSBPAC Guidance - Stroke Best Practice Guidance During the COVID-19 Pandemic (April 2020)
• Stroke Society of Australia Statement – Stroke Care During the COVID-19 Crisis (April 9, 2020)
• NHS Guidelines - Clinical guide for the management of stroke patients during the coronavirus pandemic (March 23, 2020) – Version 1

Local Resources

• Toronto Stroke Networks – Stroke Care Contingency Plans for Toronto (April 15, 2021)
• Toronto Stroke Networks – Cross System Stroke Care Contingency Plan for Toronto (April 13, 2021)
• CRSN Guidance – Nursing Stroke Quick Reference Guide (2020)
• CRSN Guidance – Occupational Therapy Stroke Quick Reference Guide (2020)
• CRSN Guidance – Physiotherapy Stroke Quick Reference Guide (2020)
• CRSN Guidance – Speech Language Pathology Stroke Quick Reference Guide (2020)
• CRSN Guidance – Social Work Stroke Quick Reference Guide (2020)
• Health Sciences North Sudbury - Secondary Stroke Prevention Clinic referral form with new triage tool to include e-visits via PCVC (April 2020)
• Health Sciences North Sudbury - Protected Acute Stroke Protocol in ED (April 2020)
• KHSC - Protocol - Telestroke and Neuro Resident Workflow (April 2020)
• TSN Resources - Considerations for Post-thrombolysis Monitoring in a Ward Bed (April 16, 2020)
• TSN Resources - Hyperacute Stroke Care in Toronto: Pandemic Plan (April 16, 2020)
• KHSC Protocol - Protected Internal Activation of Acute Stroke Protocol for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 (April 16, 2020)
• KHSC Protocol - Protected Internal Stroke Protocol (April 16, 2020)
• KHSC Protocol - Local Telestroke Protocol (April 8, 2020)
• Toronto Stroke Networks - Nursing Stroke Quick Reference Guide and Assessment Checklist – COVID-19 Pandemic (April 7, 2020)
• Toronto Stroke Networks - Occupational Therapy Stroke Quick Reference Guide – COVID-19 Pandemic (April 7, 2020)
• Toronto Stroke Networks – Physiotherapy Therapy Stroke Quick Reference Guide – COVID-19 Pandemic (April 7, 2020)
• Toronto Stroke Networks – Registered Dietitian Stroke Quick Reference Guide and Assessment Checklist – General – COVID-19 Pandemic (April 7, 2020)
• Toronto Stroke Networks – Speech Language Pathology Stroke Quick Reference Guide – COVID-19 Pandemic (April 7, 2020)
• Toronto Stroke Networks – Social Worker Stroke Quick Reference Guide and Assessment Checklist – COVID-19 Pandemic (April 7, 2020)
• Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre - COVID-19 Risk Reporting Document Form (April 6, 2020)
• KHSC Protocol - Protected Acute Stroke Protocol (April 2, 2020)
• KHSC Protocol - Protected Acute Stroke Protocol for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 (April 2, 2020)
• North East Toronto Stroke Network – Alteplase Orders
• North East Toronto Stroke Network - Pre and Post tPA Care: Frequently Asked Questions
• SWOSN Discussion Paper - Direct Adm to SU post tPA (March 31, 2020) - Draft
• SWOSN Discussion Paper - Direct ED to Rehab Adm (March 31, 2020)
• SWOSN Discussion Paper - Reducing Stroke LOS (March 31, 2020) - Draft
• SWOSN Discussion Paper - Urgent TIA Clinic (March 31, 2020) - Draft
• SWOSN Discussion Paper - Essential Community Based Stroke Rehabilitation (March 31, 2020) - Draft
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre – Recommendations for Caring for Patients after Receiving TPA outside of an ICU (March 30, 2020)
• Hamilton General Hospital – Direct Admission of Acute Stroke Patients Receiving TPA to Acute Stroke Unit (March 30, 2020)

Rehabilitation

• Stroke Rehab Coordinators Implementation Strategies - Provincial Summary of Implementation Strategies to Achieve the “Recommendations for an Ontario Approach to the Provision of Stroke Rehabilitation during COVID 19” (May 6, 2020)

Virtual Rehab Resources

• Rehab Care Alliance – Rehab Resources Related to COVID-19 (April 8, 2020)
• Speech Language Audiology Canada - COVID Update Telepractice
• FAME (Fitness And Mobility Exercise) program
• TIME Exercise Wellness Videos for People with Mobility Challenges
• Ontario Regional Stroke Networks’ Rehabilitation Coordinator Group - Virtual Care Resources – Stroke Rehabilitation and Community (April 8, 2020, Updated July 22, 2020)
• OSOT – Engaging Telepractice in your Occupational Therapy Practice: Considerations for attention during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020)
• CPA – A Pragmatic Overview of the Research and Implementation of Tele-Rehabilitation with Neurological Populations (Archived Webinar - April 1, 2020)
• Canadian Physiotherapy Association – Tele-Rehabilitation Resources
• CAPR – Tele-rehabilitation – Guidelines for Physiotherapists & Patient Information
• UBC Neurorehabilitation Research Program - GRASP Manuals and Resources
• UBC Neurorehabilitation Research Program – GRASP Videos
• InformMe Stroke Foundation – COVID-19 Telehealth Resources
• Post Stroke – REPS Recovery Exercises: Apple and Android App to Support Rehab

Community Supports

• Canadian Stroke Best Practices - 2020 Virtual healthcare checklist
• Canadian Stroke Best Practices – COVID-19 Webinar Series
• Ontario Regional Stroke Networks' Community & Long-Term Care Group - Virtual Supports for Survivors & Caregivers (October 2020) – Version 2
• UOHI Webinar – Top 10 Tips to Staying Physical Active During COVID-19 Pandemic (June 12, 2020)
• Ontario Regional Stroke Community & LTC Coordinator Group – Virtual & On-Line Care Resources (June 2, 2020, updated January 2021)
• UOHI Webinar – Managing Our Emotions During the COVID-19 Pandemic (May 22, 2020)
• HSF Webinar - Aphasia during COVID-19 (May 14, 2020)
• HSF Canadian Stroke Best Practices - Virtual Healthcare (Telestroke) Implementation Toolkit (May 12, 2020)
• UOHI Webinar – Top 10 Tips for Eating Healthy During COVID-19 Pandemic (May 8, 2020)
• HSF Webinar – Practical virtual rehabilitation and self-management techniques during COVID-19 for people living with heart conditions (April 24, 2020)
• Wounds Canada - COVID-19 Pandemic: Caring for the Carer: Three Part Series (April 14, 16, 18, 2020)
• HSF Webinar - Sex and Gender Differences in the Risk & Management of COVID-19 (April 16, 2020)
• HSF Webinar - Caregiving Challenges During COVID-19 and Practical Supports for Staying Afloat (April 9, 2020)
• Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery - Free Online Videos for People Living with Stroke During Covid-19 (April 7, 2020)
• HSF Webinar - Practical Virtual Rehabilitation During COVID-19 for People Living with Stroke and Cognitive Impairment Webinar (April 7, 2020)
• HSF Video - Handwashing Technique for People with Stroke and a Weak/Flaccid Arm (April 3, 2020)
• HSF Webinar - Support, self-management & self-care during COVID-19 for people with stroke, heart conditions & vascular cognitive impairment (March 31, 2020)
• MOD AS Events - Virtual Activities and Events for Survivors and Caregivers (March 30, 2020)
• HSF News Release: Heart and Stroke Reminds Canadians to Call 911 for Heart Attacks, Stroke, Cardiac Arrest (March 26, 2020)
• AI Flyer - Aphasia-Friendly Flyer About COVID-19 (March 17, 2020) - Version 4
• ONDRI Article and Poster - COVID-19 Social Distancing YES, Social Isolation NO (March 17, 2020)
• HSF - Interim Courses & Virtual Offerings During COVID 19 Pandemic (self-directed)
• HSF - Community Support Groups