Oral Presentation Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation Conference 2026

Measuring care in post-stroke aphasia services to drive quality improvement: A multicentre pilot study to implement a co-developed minimum dataset (139169)

Marissa Stone 1 2 3 4 , Sally Zingelman 1 2 3 , Sam Harvey 1 2 3 , Monique F Kilkenny 3 5 , David A Copland 1 2 3 , Catherine Burns 5 , Kirstine Shrubsole 1 2 3 6 , Muideen Olaiya 5 , Deborah Hersh 7 8 9 , Annie Hill 1 2 3 10 , Erin Godecke 3 11 12 , Carolyn Unsworth 13 , Robyn O'Halloran 3 10 , Sarah J Wallace 1 2 3
  1. Queensland Aphasia Research Centre, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  2. Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) Education and Research Alliance, The University of Queensland and Metro North Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  3. Centre of Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. Stroke and Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  7. School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  8. Australian Aphasia Association, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  9. Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  10. School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  11. Perron Institute of Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  12. School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  13. Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Background: Aphasia following stroke is common and associated with poor outcomes, yet little is known about the quality of care received by this population. The MEASuRES minimum dataset was co-developed to address this gap through consistent, comprehensive measurement of aphasia services.

Aims: To pilot the implementation of the MEASuRES minimum dataset for aphasia in clinical settings to describe patient characteristics, adherence to quality indicators, and completion of outcome measures.

Methods: Multicentre, prospective, observational pilot study conducted in hospital settings within five metropolitan Australian health services. Eligible participants were patients with a new onset of aphasia post-stroke. The minimum dataset variables were collected by treating clinicians using a purpose-built REDCap database. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise participant characteristics, adherence to quality indicators, and completion of outcome measures.

Results: There were 69 participants (46% female; 96% English speaking; median age 70 years). On average, eligible participants received 8 out of 10 quality indicators. The quality indicators achieved most frequently were aphasia assessment (93%), therapy (99%) and provision of individualised recommendations to the treating team (97%). Communication partner training (78%), collaborative goal setting (55%) and person-centred care (30%) were achieved less frequently and identified as areas for improvement. Participants were more likely to have outcome measures completed at baseline than post-therapy, with higher rates of completion in the subacute setting at both timepoints across all domains (e.g., language: acute 55% baseline, 0% post-therapy; subacute: 77% baseline, 39% post-therapy).

Conclusion: These findings advance quality improvement and service monitoring for aphasia, supporting high-value care.