Poster Presentation Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation Conference 2026

A nurse’s perspective of participation in AVERT DOSE – a dose finding trial (#124)

Kirsty Page 1 , Simeon Dale 2 3 , Kelly Coughlan 2 3 , Natasha Gillman 4 , Sandy Middleton 2 3 , Lauren Christie 2 5 6 , Fiona Ellery 7 , Julie Bernhardt 7 , on behalf of the AVERT DOSE Collaboration 7
  1. Stroke Unit, St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
  2. Nursing Research Institute, St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne & Australian Catholic University, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
  3. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Physiotherapy Department, St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
  5. Allied Health Department, St Vincent's Health Network Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
  6. School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University & St Vincents Health (Sydney), North Sydney, NSW, Australia
  7. The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, , University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia

Background: AVERT DOSE, a global trial tested various doses of early mobility training delivered by physiotherapists and nurses to determine optimal recovery post-stroke. The Stroke Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) acted as study coordinator, identifying eligible patients and supporting intervention delivery by nurses.

Objective: To describe processes developed within one metropolitan stroke unit to optimise patient recruitment and maintain intervention fidelity.

Methods: All patients with suspected stroke were screened for eligibility in the emergency department by the Stroke CNC. Rapid communication between the stroke team, physiotherapists and the CNC was required to meet strict time-based enrolment criteria. Bedside nurses were trained to deliver mobilization protocols and educated on patient safety, trial principles and documentation. Compliance was monitored by the Stroke CNC and Trial Physiotherapist, who provided real time feedback to staff.

Results: Research protocols were integrated into routine workflows through interdisciplinary collaboration. Nurse-led education improved staff confidence in delivering the intervention, while continuous compliance monitoring enhanced documentation accuracy and outcome data. Oversight by the Stroke CNC limited protocol deviations and strengthened data integrity. Infarct patients screened: n=54, randomised: n=18, completed six month follow-up: n=13.

Conclusion: Participation in this clinical trial highlighted the pivotal role of the Stroke CNC in reorganising stroke unit workflow processes to support screening, recruitment and adherence to trial procedures. This leadership increased engagement across the stroke unit and emergency department and improved understanding of requirements for successful research participation. The experience demonstrates the value of embedding nurses within research frameworks to bridge clinical care and research implementation.