Canadian Stroke Network Best Practices
Dr. Gail Eskes chaired an expert national panel on Mood and Cognition in Patients Following Stroke for the Canadian Stroke Network (CSN) The CSN released new recommendations from this panel on March 19, 2013 to guide physicians, nurses and allied health professionals in dealing with vascular cognitive impairment and post-stroke depression.
New recommendations, posted on the Canadian Best Practices Recommendations for Stroke Care, will be widely disseminated in the Canadian health-care community. Recent reports on the quality of stroke services in Canada show inconsistent screening and monitoring of stroke patients for depression and cognitive changes, even in large urban centres. Treatment delays may lead to poor outcomes, prolonged recovery and desperation on the part of patients and families.