History

The Minnesota Stroke Partnership (MSP) was formed in September 2005. The original core of the MSP was simply a committee of individuals from a variety of organizations. This original group was named the Minnesota Stroke Committee. The group met quarterly in 2005-2006 to plan and prioritize stroke prevention areas and populations that needed to be addressed.

The group determined that the areas of emergency medical services (EMS) and emergency departments (EDs) were a high priority - and had high potential for achieving short-term successes. Thus, a first task force was formed to address EMS and stroke. As more individuals were recruited for this task force, it became clear that this statewide effort to collaboratively address stroke was growing to more than simply a "committee." The group agreed in June 2006 to rename itself as the Steering Committee of the Minnesota Stroke Partnership.

The Minnesota Stroke Partnership Today

The Minnesota Stroke Partnership is comprised of individuals who are interested in reducing the burden of stroke in Minnesota. A Steering Committee oversees collaborative projects and acts as an advisory group to the Minnesota Department of Health on stroke issues. The Steering Committee meets quarterly to discuss the "big picture" and agree on the general content and direction for statewide initiatives.

Task forces are formed to address specific areas of interest as determined by the Steering Committee. These areas currently include emergency medical services, emergency departments, and public education. Future task forces will be formed to concentrate on implementing projects in the areas of provider education and rehabilitation issues.

Finally, the Partnership includes individuals who may not be actively involved in a committee or task force, but are involved in stroke prevention, treatment, or rehabilitation in various ways. These people are opinion leaders, change agents, and stroke champions in their communities and organizations. We connect with all members of the Partnership through the Minnesota Stroke Partnership Bulletin, a monthly email newsletter which updates everyone on projects, stroke events, and stroke in the news.

Current Efforts

The EMS Stroke Task Force developed a unique continuing education training presentation called EMS Response to Stroke. It focuses on the EMT’s role in stroke diagnosis and treatment.  Since 2007, over 200 EMS professionals have attended this workshop at regional conferences. In order to expand the reach of this timely information, the Task Force will videotape the presentation and distribute it to all 8 EMS regions. For more information, contact Elizabeth Gardner at the Minnesota Department of Health at (651) 201-5411 or elizabeth.gardner@state.mn.us

The Emergency Department Stroke Task Force met for the first time in January 2007. This group is comprised of ED staff from around the state interested in improving acute care in Minnesota emergency departments. The task force is working to develop and promote a statewide consensus protocol for stroke care in emergency departments.

The Stroke Awareness Task Force met for the first time in Fall 2008. This group is working toward increasing and coordinating resources devoted to public education around the signs and symptoms of stroke, and the necessary steps that should be taken for this medical emergency. The group has endorsed a Stroke Awareness Toolkit in paper form. An electronic version is under development and will be shared with community educators at rural hospitals in Summer 2009. Their feedback on the usefulness of the toolkit will help to guide future activities for the Task Force.
For more information, please contact James Peacock, PhD, MPH at (651) 201-5405 or james.peacock@state.mn.us.