In 1971, Stanford Hospital staffers tried a novel approach to provide aid for stroke victims. By writing the simple notation ﾓstroke programﾔ on a patientﾒs chart, an attending physician could launch a hospital-wide evaluation and aid program involving doctors, nurses, social workers, and physical, occupational and speech therapists.

The new program also included a public health nurse dedicated to serving the patientﾒs post-hospital needs.