Stroke nurses please read: GRANDPAS HUGS

[bethem]

You might be aware of the mnemonic used frequently in intensive care environments, FAST HUG (feeding, analgesia, sedation holiday, thromboembolic prophylaxis, head of bed raised 30 - 45 degrees, stress ulcer prevention and glucose control). I see an application for an adaptation of this mnemonic in stroke nursing: GRANDPAS HUGS. It's a little longer, but I think it is population-appropriate and could help nurses remember everything on a stroke pathway:

G: glucose control (hyperglycaemia is associated with poor outcomes)

R: relieve pain

A: anticoagulant therapy in embolic or ischaemic stroke

N: neuro obs

D: depression (monitor for signs of depression early on)

P: position hemiplegic limbs appropriately

A: aperients for bowel regularity, especially if pt is receiving opioids

S: swallowing - ensure pt is safe to swallow, sit at 90 degrees, speech referral

H: head of bed flat in ischaemic stroke and raised in haemorrhagic

U: urinary continence, bladder emptying and signs of UTIs

G: get moving - early mobilisation is associated with improved fn later

S: safety and self care - promoting independence without injury.

Tell me what you think. I am thinking of writing an article for journal submission and also giving this information/mnemonic to my stroke CNS. I am only new to nursing and I don't want to try to teach my grandmother to suck eggs, as it were. Is anything missing? Is there a better mnemonic you can think of?

Thanks.:balloons:

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Stat head CT?

Tylenol for temp over 99?

Nice memnonic.

[bethem]

Thanks, Angie, I'll revise to include those things. Thanks!