Abstract
Objective: To assess the need for secondary prevention of cardiovascular issues and medical care among patients in the early post-stroke phase (at 1 month and 3 months after stroke onset), using the Post-Stroke Checklist (PSC).
Subjects and Methods: This study included patients diagnosed with stroke and treated at the Cardiology Institute, Bach Mai Hospital, between March 2023 and March 2024, who were alive at hospital discharge. Researchers conducted follow-up interviews with patients and their family members via telephone at 1 and 3 months post-discharge using the PSC. Based on PSC interview results, 11 domains of potential post-stroke care needs were assessed and compared between the 1-month and 3-month time points.
Results: The study included 45 patients (46.7% female, mean age 68±12 years, average hospital stay 8±4 days). At discharge, 24.4% of patients were not prescribed secondary prevention medications such as anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents. However, by 1 month post-discharge, the majority (97.8%) were receiving secondary prevention medications. At the 1-month follow-up, the PSC identified major post-stroke issues including:
- Secondary prevention needs (70.6%)
- Difficulties with activities of daily living (41.2%)
- Mobility issues (41.2%)
- Cognitive problems (35.3%)
At 3 months compared to 1 month, emotional issues significantly increased (41.2% vs. 26.5%, p=0.035); while secondary prevention needs (20.6% vs. 70.6%, p=0.004), difficulties with daily activities (20.6% vs. 70.6%, p=0.041), and mobility problems (20.6% vs. 70.6%, p=0.032) significantly decreased. The overall satisfaction scores with PSC use reported by patients and healthcare staff were 8.3 and 7.8 at the 1-month mark, and 7.6 and 8.3 at 3 months, respectively.
Conclusion: The Post-Stroke Checklist appears to be a useful tool for identifying and monitoring long-term issues in stroke survivors. The information obtained from PSC assessments can help guide rehabilitation strategies and management plans tailored to address specific patient needs, thereby improving the quality of life of stroke survivors.