Service delivery of care to children who have had strokes: Review of the initial diagnosis and ongoing treatments

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kumar, Sameer | Sosinski, Kiera B.

Affiliations: Opus College of Business, University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Note: [] Correspondence: Prof. Sameer Kumar, Opus College of Business, University of St. Thomas, Mail # TMH 343 1000 LaSalle Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403-2005, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Delivery of care during diagnosis and on-going treatment of childhood strokes, which impact 1 in 4000 live births, is not standardized and relies on both parents and medical professionals to be aware of stroke and stroke symptoms in order to ensure timely care. This system does break down due to the reliance on individuals. The research study utilizes Six Sigma quality approach to determine current state of service delivery from the perspective of parents or guardians within the U.S. and propose solutions to minimize errors in diagnosis and treatment of childhood strokes. The authors of this study researched non-pharmacological treatments of childhood strokes. This study surveyed parents or guardians of children who had strokes and found areas of improvement. One major finding of the survey was that only 39% of children received a referral to a specialist when stroke symptoms were initially reported. Proposed solutions were derived from analysis of the survey data from parents or guardians in the U.S., which helped in labeling current gaps in the system and devising poka-yokes for error proofing the system.

Keywords: Childhood stroke, service delivery of care

DOI: 10.3233/JPN-2009-0314

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Neurology, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 231-249, 2009