Audit of stroke care at the Institute of Neurology, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, 1994-1997

Ranawaka, Udaya K.; Fernando, Mekala; Gunasekera, Tgsm; Gunawardena, Devaka; Wijesekera, J.; Fernando, Devaka J.S.

doi:10.4038/cmj.v47i3.3435

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The survey highlighted the inadequacies of the existing stroke services; only 38 neurologists were present in state-sector hospitals serving a population of 21.2 million, thrombolysis was available in only 14 hospitals and mechanical thrombectomy in only 1 hospital [ 6 ]. The capacity to improve stroke care by establishing basic stroke units with limited resources is well documented for Sri Lanka [ 7 , 8 ]; however, stroke units were available in only 9 hospitals [ 6 ]. Patients with stroke in Sri Lanka are managed by neurologists and internal physicians; there are no trained specialist stroke physicians or stroke neurologists in the country, and there is no formal training or accreditation programme in stroke care.…”

Section: Tackling the Burden Of Stroke − What Can We Do?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Stroke in Sri Lanka: How Can We Minimise the Burden?

Ranawaka

Venketasubramanian

2021

Cerebrovasc Dis Extra

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The burden of stroke in Sri Lanka is high and steadily increasing. Accurate estimation of the burden is hampered by a paucity of epidemiological data. More neurologists, stroke units, facilities for modern treatments and multi-disciplinary rehabilitation services are urgently needed. Essential drugs for risk factor control and secondary prevention are available in many hospitals. Aggressive preventive strategies and promoting stroke awareness are the best ways to minimise the stroke burden in Sri Lanka.

show abstract

Section: Tackling the Burden Of Stroke − What Can We Do?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Stroke in Sri Lanka: How Can We Minimise the Burden?

Ranawaka

Venketasubramanian

2021

Cerebrovasc Dis Extra

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Care related to rehabilitation planning, discharge planning, and secondary prevention were rated as very poor. 14 The audit was an eye-opener and proved to be a catalyst that transformed the structure and process of stroke care at the Institute of Neurology, NHSL. The most important of these was the establishment of the first stroke unit in the country at the NHSL in 1998.…”

Section: Stroke Care In Sri Lanka: the Way We Werementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first multidisciplinary stroke team was assembled, with specialist inputs in speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and social services support. 14 This was followed by the establishment of the first dedicated multidisciplinary stroke clinic at the NHSL in 2000. These changes paved the way for the development of modern stroke care in the country.…”

Section: Stroke Care In Sri Lanka: the Way We Werementioning

confidence: 99%

Stroke Care in Sri Lanka: The Way We Were, the Way We Are, and the Way Forward

Ranawaka

2018

Journal of Stroke Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sri Lanka is a lower-middle–income country with a high Human Development Index. Stroke is a primary cause of death and disability in the country, and demographic and epidemiological transitions are likely to lead to a large increase in the burden of stroke. Although impressive health indicators have been achieved due to an excellent primary health-care structure, Sri Lanka has been slow to develop and expand modern stroke care. A majority of the patients with acute strokes are treated in state-sector hospitals where facilities for state-of-the-art acute stroke care are limited. Neurologists are low in number, and general physicians provide acute stroke care for most of the patients. Epidemiological data on stroke in Sri Lanka are scarce. Previous studies have shown low quality of stroke care and significant gaps in stroke awareness. Noteworthy gains have been made since the turn of the century, and recent trends in development of stroke care are promising. There is a clear need to improve manpower, infrastructure, and training that will lead to improvements in the existing services in terms of acute care, rehabilitation, and community support. More research data are needed to guide strategies to minimize the burden of stroke, and more concerted efforts are needed to make stroke care in Sri Lanka ready to face the challenges of the 21st century.

show abstract

“…A previous audit has shown significant deficiencies in acute in-hospital stroke management in Sri Lanka. 8 There is very little organised structure for acute stroke care, and multidisciplinary stroke rehabilitation services for disabled survivors are virtually non-existent in the community. 9 Stroke prevention is the most cost effective way of minimising the burden of stroke in a resource-limited country such as Sri Lanka.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%