The role of the clinical nurse within a combined stroke and telefibrinolysis network: The G5 pilot study in Burgundy, France

Summary Background We aimed to demonstrate that a combined stroke and telefibrinolysis network can reduce the rates of death and recurrent stroke events. In these two types of organisation, nurses play a pivotal role in all phases of stroke patient care. In our study, nurses are responsible for the coordination of care throughout the care continuum. In this paper, we describe the stroke and telestroke network created in 2004 in Burgundy, France, its positive impact on death and recurrent stroke rates, and how telefibrinolysis could improve these rates. Methods We evaluated the role of the clinical nurse in a multidisciplinary stroke network, called G5, established in 2003 between the Stroke Unit of Dijon University Hospital and four general regional hospitals, whose innovative mission was telephone follow-up of stroke patients discharged home. In 2012 a telefibrinolysis network was integrated into the G5 stroke network. Results The preliminary results concerning the role of the clinical nurse in a telefibrinolysis network demonstrate that the same efficacy is achieved without causing undesirable events such as increased cerebral haemorrhage. The stroke network and telestroke demonstrated that the role of the clinical nurse was beneficial in reducing the rate of recurrence by 16% in the first year. Conclusion Telefibrinolysis is a reliable procedure enabling a greater number of patients to be fibrinolysed. By monitoring patients discharged home, via a call-centre, clinical nurses play a strategic role in telestroke.