In my consultations with Angels hospitals in Colombia I have the privilege of witnessing how the commitment and passion for providing high-quality care for stroke patients intensify each day. One such instance is the exemplary practice at Clínica Medilaser in Neiva, a city in south-central Colombia. This hospital won its first WSO Angels Award in quarter 3 of 2023; it obtained platinum status in the first quarter 2024 and has become one of Colombia’s 10 diamond hospitals.
The stroke team at Clínica Medilaser Neiva doesn’t only excel in acute care: their dedication to delivering optimal stroke care has led to the integration of the therapy team into the stroke code process. The team is lead by physical therapist Ms Magaly Pérez who coordinates with the speech therapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists at the clinic. The action of including them in the code activation chat is small but significant as it allows patients to be evaluated by the entire team within the first 12 hours of admission, and means early stimulation is initiated promptly.
The speech therapy team conducts the GUSS test (swallowing assessment) and determines the recommended diet, collaborating with the nutrition departments when patients require tube feeding. Physical and occupational therapists evaluate the patients and start an individualized rehabilitation plan from the outset, regardless of the patient’s location within the hospital. They use the Angels stroke bag as a kit containing all the items needed to assess and conduct therapy sessions. Additionally, the clinic provides materials such as colored pencils, coloring books, balls, threads, and other tools to stimulate fine motor skills, ensuring that each patient has their own personalized rehabilitation kit.
This improvement in practice has allowed patients to feel better cared for and has facilitated the rapid and timely initiation of their recovery during their hospital stay.
Upon discharge, the physiatry team, together with neurology, psychology, social work, and therapy, provides the patient with a clear and individualized plan to support the swift recovery of their skills. This plan also includes education for the patient and their family on how to perform exercises, appropriate nutrition, and other necessary care.
I want to highlight the meticulous attention given to documenting this information in the patient's medical record, with detailed daily follow-ups and clear data such as the Modified Rankin Scale score. This thorough documentation greatly facilitates the 90-day follow-up calls to monitor the patient’s progress. It also helps integrate the patient with the clinic, making them feel the clinic’s genuine interest in and commitment to their recovery.
