About the project
The Enhancing Stroke Care project aims to reduce variation in Victorian hospitals and improve time to appropriate stroke intervention in line with the National 30/60/90 Stroke Targets.
This will be achieved by embedding strategies to improve coordination, flow and access within the hyper-acute phase of the consumer journey and strengthening capabilities within the healthcare workforce.
Objectives
- Reduce variation of care in the hyperacute phase for ischaemic stroke
- Build partnerships and create opportunities for collaboration between regional and metropolitan services
- Reduce waste and improve efficiency of patient flow from initial presentation to diagnosis
Background
Stroke is a severe life-threatening event that requires hospitalisation and is a leading cause of death and disability in Australia.
In 2023, the Australian Stroke Coalition set about the 30/60/90 National Stroke Targets, reflective of best practice in stroke care with evidence of improved patient outcomes.
Currently, these targets are not being met across Victoria indicating variation in care and resulting in poor patient outcomes, including increased mortality, disability, care-related secondary complications or readmissions.
How to get involved
Email a member of the Enhancing Stroke Care Collaborative team at strokeimprovement@safercare.vic.gov.au.
Solution design
The intervention design draws on the recommendations from the Australian Stroke Coalition National Action Plan and is centred around 3 primary areas for intervention:
- Coordinated Stroke Response Systems
- Optimised clinical management
- Stroke capable workforce.
An adaptation collaborative has been established and launched in December 2024, with 17 health services across Victoria. The work will assist services in meeting 4 of the 5 National Stroke Targets over a 12-month period.
The collaborative will then be followed by a sustain period where data would continue to be collected to understand if improvements made have been sustainable. If successful, a toolkit providing strategies for improvement will be developed to be used across the state.
Project milestones
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Collaborative established with 17 Victorian health services | November 2024 |
| Learning session 1 | December 2024 |
| Learning session 2 | May 2025 |
| Learning session 3 | September 2025 |
| Summative event planned before proceeding to sustain period | December 2025 |
Participating services
View all participating services
View more View less- Bendigo Health
- Western Health
- Royal Melbourne Hospital
- Echuca Regional Health
- Austin Health
- GV Health
- Western District health care
- Alfred Health
- Monash Health
- Ambulance Victoria
- West Gippsland Healthcare Group - Warragul Hospital
- Grampians Health Ballarat
- Peninsula Health
- Latrobe Regional Health
- Albury Wodonga Health
- University Hospital Geelong
- Werribee Mercy Hospital.
Priority area
This project supports our broader effort to reduce avoidable harm and unnecessary variation in healthcare.