What is the BEST CARE ICTUS_HC study investigating for stroke patients?

The study is investigating whether a nurse-led program called BEST CARE ICTUS_HC can reduce complications like swallowing difficulties and attention problems in adults hospitalized with acute stroke. Researchers want to see if this approach improves patient safety and quality of life compared to usual care. The University of Malaga is leading this research to enhance stroke management in hospitals without specialized Stroke Units.

Who may be eligible for this stroke clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 years or older diagnosed with acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and admitted to conventional hospital units without specialized Stroke Units may be eligible. The trial includes all genders and excludes patients who had invasive neurological procedures or severe consciousness problems preventing swallowing tests. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this stroke clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the study program and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. Personal expenses such as travel may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants can expect the study treatments and assessments to be free while managing their own travel arrangements.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

ID07627399

Evaluating Nurse-Led Best Care Practices to Improve Recovery and Safety for Adults With Acute Stroke in Hospitals Without Specialized Stroke Units

Led by University of Malaga · Updated on 2026-06-04

700

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether a comprehensive nurse-led program called BEST CARE ICTUSHC can reduce complications and improve recovery for adults aged 18 and older hospitalized with acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke in hospitals lacking specialized Stroke Units. The study aims to see if this program improves early detection of swallowing difficulties to prevent pneumonia and reduces attention problems like hemineglect, enhancing quality of life up to six months after discharge. This trial compares patients receiving the BEST CARE ICTUSHC program with those receiving usual hospital care in a stepped-wedge design across multiple hospitals. The BEST CARE ICTUSHC intervention includes specialized training for nursing staff, systematic use of the Modified Swallowing Assessment to detect dysphagia, and the FLECHA Project, which adapts the patients environment with visual signs, spatial reorganization, and QR code-guided care plans tailored to stroke type and side. It also involves strict monitoring protocols for temperature, blood sugar, and blood pressure, plus early removal of invasive devices. During the control phase, usual care is provided without standardized dysphagia screening. The intervention phase adds educational outreach, compensatory care strategies, and ongoing support to ensure program implementation. Participants will be monitored from admission through hospitalization, discharge, and follow-up at 30 days and six months post-discharge. Assessments include swallowing tests, evaluation of hemineglect using the Catherine Bergego Scale, and health-related quality of life measurements. Vital signs and device use are tracked daily during hospital stay. Follow-up calls collect health and quality of life data. The study uses statistical methods to account for hospital differences and time effects, aiming to understand both clinical outcomes and how the program integrates into routine care.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Effectiveness of Best Care Practices in Acute Stroke in Conventional Hospitalization (BEST CARE ICTUS_HC)

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Patients aged 18 years or older.
Clinical diagnosis of acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.
Admission to conventional hospitalization units (Internal Medicine) in regional hospitals without specialized Stroke Units.

You will not qualify if you...

Patients admitted for a cause other than stroke who develop a stroke during their hospital stay (in-hospital stroke).
Patients subjected to invasive neurological procedures.
Patients undergoing invasive procedures, such as thrombectomy, who require transfer to a referral hospital and remain there for more than 48 hours.
Patients with deterioration of the level of consciousness that prevents the performance of dysphagia testing.
Patients that have been taken care of by Nurses and Nursing Assistants with >4 weeks of work experience in Stroke Units in the last 12 months

Research Team

JOSE MIGUEL MORALES-ASENCIO, PhD

Laura Gutierrez Rodriguez, PhD

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Evaluating Nurse-Led Best Care Practices to Improve Recovery and Safety for Adults With Acute Stroke in Hospitals Without Specialized Stroke Units

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Brief Title

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria

Research Team

Not the Right Trial for You?

On this page

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria