CRCT of a multidisciplinary, team building intervention to manage Fever, Sugar and Swallowing (FeSS) in Acute Stroke [ 2005 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Sandy Middleton (Principal investigator) ,  Prof Christopher Levi ,  Prof Jeanette Ward ,  Prof Jeremy Grimshaw ,  Prof Rhonda Griffiths

Brief description The latest acute stroke guidelines and recommendations from Ausralia's National Stroke Unit Program endorse a prompt and evidence-based treatment for fever, blood sugar and swallowing in acute stroke. This Clustered Randomised Control Trial (CRCT) will develop and rigorously evaluate a standardised, multidisciplinary team-building intervention for the management of fever, blood sugar and swallowing in patients following acute stroke. The intervention comprises: an evidence-based clinical treatment pathway (the FeSS Pathway) and facility-based support consisting of multidisciplinary, team building workshops, a standardised, interactive education program and engagement of local staff through support and feedback. Stroke Units allocated to the control group will receive only the FeSS Pathway with no facility-based support. Expected patient outcomes comprise decreased: disability on discharge, length of stay, 90-day disability, 90-day dependency, 90-day death and disability and higher 90-day health status for those patients allocated to receive care at intervention Stroke Units. Further, medical record audits will be undertaken to measure the integrity of the FeSS Pathway uptake. By conducting a CRCT, we will generate Level 2 evidence for the effectiveness of a standardised, multidisciplinary team-building intervention for the management of fever, blood sugar and swallowing in patients following acute stroke. Thus, this trial is highly significant both within Australia and internationally.

Funding Amount $AUD 405,450.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant