Abstract WP198: Wisconsin Stroke Nurses Support Implementation of New Tools for HRSN Assessment

Stroke nurses are uniquely positioned to identify and address Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) that influence patient outcomes. This study explores their support for implementing new tools to improve HRSN assessment and referral workflows. Methods/Methodology: A structured electronic survey was distributed to stroke nurses to assess their attitudes toward adopting new HRSN tools and to identify perceived barriers and opportunities for workflow improvement. The survey included multiple-choice questions covering support levels, suggested changes to assessment processes, referral strategies, and organizational support needs. Wisconsin hospitals were invited to apply and 28 responded. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, and results were visualized using pie charts and response tables. Results: Support for new HRSN tools was overwhelmingly positive: 84% of respondents were either Very likely , Likely , or Somewhat likely to support implementation. Only 8% expressed opposition. When asked about the first change needed to improve assessment efficiency, the most common response was More staff resources (34.62%), followed by Improved care pathways and More training (each at 19.23%). For referral process improvements, nurses prioritized Increased community/social resources (34.62%) and Streamlined procedures (23.08%). Regarding organizational support, the top needs were Clear guidelines and pathways (34.62%) and Role clarification (23.08%). Conclusion: Stroke nurses strongly support the adoption of new tools for HRSN assessment and referral. Their feedback highlights the need for increased staffing, clearer protocols, and better integration with community resources. These findings provide actionable insights for healthcare leaders seeking to enhance stroke care through improved social needs screening and referral systems.