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As a valued supporter of
National Stroke Association
you will receive Brain Alert
six times a year to keep you
up-to-date on what we are
doing in the community.

AUGUST 2008     

Steps Against Recurrent Stroke (STARS)
National Stroke Association designed and launched the STARS program (Steps Against Recurrent Stroke) earlier this year to educate primary providers, hospitalists, emergency medicine physicians, stroke survivors and caregivers about treatments available to prevent a recurrent stroke.
The continuation of the STARS program, made possible by support from a charitable contribution from the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Aventis Pharmaceuticals Partnership, will be launched this fall. Survivors and caregivers can look forward to a new educational email campaign. An audio-web cast will be scheduled for discharge planners, social workers and case managers on: secondary stroke prevention, healthcare messaging designed to create behavior change and tips on leading discussions with stroke survivors, family members and support groups. Additional educational materials are being developed for distribution to hospitals around the country.
You don't have to have another stroke. Be a Stroke Smart STAR. To receive a brochure and more information about the STARS program, contact National Stroke Association at 1-800-STROKES or www.stroke.org/STARS.

StrokeSmart™ Magazine: Kids Have Strokes Too
	Every year National Stroke Association dedicates one issue of StrokeSmart™ magazine to the topic of kids and stroke. This year, the September/October issue includes the stroke recovery journeys of three families who have been touched by childhood stroke. The issue also features an evaluation of the Wii™ as a tool for improving movement, tips for making healthy fast food choices, and information about how to share your stroke story. What are you thankful for? StrokeSmart™ wants to know what you are thankful for this year. Send your thoughts to Christy Bailey, Editor-in-Chief, at cbailey@stroke.org .

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

THANK YOUR BRAIN 

The best way to thank your brain each day is by protecting it from a stroke or brain attack. National Stroke Association wants you to increase your knowledge of risk factors for stroke and begin taking steps to lower your risk. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a mini-stroke, or stroke symptoms that usually last less than 24 hours before disappearing. While TIAs generally do not cause permanent brain damage, they are a serious warning sign of stroke and should not be ignored! In fact, more than one-third of all people who experience a TIA will go on to have an actual stroke. Visit www.stroke.org/tia to learn more about how to recognize, manage and prevent TIA.

Remember to Shop Online and Support Stroke Awareness

Please consider making your Amazon purchases by clicking on this Amazon.com link.  You can also shop online at some of your favorite stores through iGive.com and up to 26 percent of your purchases will support National Stroke Association.  iGive.com has more than 500 participating stores to choose from. For more information visit http://www.stroke.org/ or click www.igive.com/BeStrokeSmart. Happy shopping!

ATTENTION STROKE PROFESSIONALS 

Stroke: The Full Continuum of Care Update
	As fall approaches, so do National Stroke Association’s regional meetings… have you made plans to attend Stroke: The Full Continuum of Care? Don't miss your chance to learn the latest in stroke care and network with your regional peers. Each location will feature: Dedicated Nurse Meeting Interdisciplinary Stroke Team Meeting Training for local EMS and Paramedics HOPE After Stroke Symposium for stroke survivors and their caregivers
Reserve Your Room Today The West nurse meeting is sold out, but don’t miss the chance to attend the West interdisciplinary meeting or the Central and East meetings. All are still available for registration. Register today, as space is limited! National Stroke Association has contracted hotel rooms for the participants at a discounted rate. Blocks fill quickly so reserve your room soon. Make sure you mention "National Stroke Association" when reserving your room. West Renaissance Long Beach Hotel 111 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Telephone: (562) 437-5900 or (800) 468-3571 Reservations are still being accepted! Central Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, Minneapolis South 7800 Normandale Boulevard, Bloomington, MN 55439 Telephone: (952) 835-7800 or (866) 837-4278 Rate: $149/night (single or double occupancy) Cut-off Date: August 25, 2008 East Renaissance Concourse Hotel One Hartsfield Centre Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30354 Telephone: (404) 209-9999 or (888) 391-8724 Rate: $139/night (single or double occupancy) Cut-off Date: September 19, 2008 Are you located within 100 miles of the meeting locations? Visit www.stroke.org/meet_reg to learn about special discounts offered for the interdisciplinary stroke team meeting. Don't miss your chance to learn the latest in stroke care and network with your regional peers. Register today as space is limited!

Stroke Nurse Education Modules now available at www.stroke.org/strokenurse

National Stroke Association's Stroke Nurse Education Modules are exactly what you need to meet the continuing stroke education needs of your stroke team! These online modules are ideal for those who are new to stroke as well as for seasoned stroke care providers committed to keeping their stroke knowledge and practice up-to-date. They are designed to improve stroke patient care and outcomes by providing evidenced-based and best-practice nursing education to those that deliver treatment to patients at all points of the stroke care continuum. The 10 modules cover the following topics: Stroke 101: Anatomy and Physiology Neurologic Assessments Basics of Neuroprotective Nursing Limiting Complications of Stroke Interpreting Stroke Imaging and Other Diagnostics Preventive Nursing Care for Neurological Deficits Patient and Care Partner Education Stroke on the Critical Care Unit Stroke Therapies and Nursing Care Rehabilitation Nursing for Stroke The completion of all 10 modules will result in the achievement of a minimum of eight contact hours, which is consistent with The Joint Commission's requirements for core stroke team members. National Stroke Association's Stroke Nurse Education Modules are now available at www.stroke.org/strokenurse for a $20 per module fee. Get Free and Discounted Access! Members of National Stroke Association's Stroke Center Network receive 30 free module uses every year. After exhausting their 30 free module uses, Stroke Center Network members continue to receive unlimited access to all modules for a $10 per module fee - 50% off the regular price. Another related benefit for Stroke Center Network members only is the ability to track and report the module use and achievement of all users affiliated with their organizations. Please contact National Stroke Association at (303) 754-0908 or scn@stroke.org if you would like more information about becoming a member of the Stroke Center Network or if you have other questions about the Stroke Nurse Education Modules.

Prehospital Provider DVD and Web-based Training Solutions

National Stroke Association is excited to offer a stroke training DVD for EMS providers. The Stroke Rapid Response™ DVD is available for $49.99 in the online store at www.stroke.org/shop. Order your copy today! For those EMS providers who prefer individualized computer-based learning at their own pace, Stroke Rapid Response™ Online is the perfect method of training. CEUs are awarded immediately upon completion of the training. For more details, visit www.stroke.org/SRR.

Online Version of ISC Symposium Now Available

At the 2008, International Stroke Conference, National Stroke Association hosted an accredited symposium, Recurrent Stroke and Intracranial Stenosis: Exploring New Treatment Options. Designed to narrow the gap between knowledge and practice with respect to intracranial stenosis and stroke risk, the symposium explored intracranial stenosis and stroke risk, reviewed latest medical and endovascular literature and discussed NIH-funded randomized trial SAMMPRIS comparing stenting to medical therapy. The accredited, online version of this symposium is now available on National Stroke Association's website. This program has been accredited for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and 1.5 Continuing Education contact hours. After viewing the archived symposium, participants should be able to: explain the relationship between intracranial stenosis and stroke risk, identify treatment options for intracranial stenosis to reduce stroke risk in symptomatic patients, describe the clinical trials that are being conducted in the area of intracranial stenosis in relation to stroke, and discuss how to practically apply the presented, evidence-based research to clinical practice. For more information and to view the program visit www.stroke.org/isc_archive.

Calendar of Upcoming Events