The Central East Stroke Network (CESN) is dedicated to supporting the implementation of the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations into daily practice. This section highlights some of the resources available across the care continuum.
If you have any questions about stroke education in our region, please contact your District Stroke Coordinator or the CESN Regional Education Coordinator, Dorothy Burridge, at 705 728 9802 ext 46314.
Guidelines & Recommendations
Canadian Stroke Best Practices
Stroke Quality Based Procedure Clinical Handbook (Dec 2016)
Stroke Core Competencies are a framework that provides healthcare providers with the tools to develop stroke expertise. The framework supports a baseline level of competency required for the delivery of evidence-based stroke care province-wide.
Acute Stroke Unit Orientation is an online learning resource that consists of 11 stroke care topics. The program is currently available through the Southwestern Ontario Stroke Network.
Stroke Rehabilitation Unit Orientation is an online 12-module learning program for healthcare professionals working on an inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit. The program is currently available through the Southwestern Ontario Stroke Network.
Stroke Rehabilitation Unit Orientation
Apex Innovations Canadian Hemispheres 2.0™ Stroke Competency Series is an e-learning program comprised of seven comprehensive modules based on best practice recommendations. Hemispheres also includes free NIH Stroke Scale Training and certification. Please contact your District Stroke Coordinator or the CESN Regional Education Coordinator, Dorothy Burridge if you are interested in registering.
Modules include:
- Brain Anatomy & Physiology
- Stroke Pathophysiology
- Emergency Response to Stroke
- In-Hospital Ischemic Stroke
- In-Hospital Hemorrhagic Stroke
- Stroke Prevention
- Excellence in Stroke Care
- NIH Stroke Scale
QuICR University of Calgary: Acute Stroke Care e-Learning Program is an online portal designed for various healthcare professions involved in acute stroke care. The program contains multiple self-learning modules. Registration is required, but there is no cost.
Acute Stroke Care e-Learning Program
Canadian Neurological Scale (CNS) is a tool to be used in the evaluation and monitoring of a stroke patient’s neurological status in the acute phase. Instructions for completing the scale can be found in the Stroke Assessment and Prevention Pocket Cards. A training video was developed which provides the background/evidence for the CNS scale as well as steps to complete. CESN developed a short video clip which provides 3 cases examples to support training.
Stroke Assessment and Prevention Pocket Cards (pg. 11)
National Institute for Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a 15-item stroke scale used to evaluate acuity as well as guide treatment and clinical outcomes. Training and certification is required to use the tool in clinical practice.
NIH Stroke Scale International – Free, but must register to complete training
APEX Innovations NIHSS – Click on Free NIHSS and register
Certificate in Stroke Rehabilitation is offered through the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta and is an online graduate level credit certificate. It is designed to address learning needs of rehabilitation clinicians across the continuum of care.