Controlled trial of a home-care service for acute stroke patients.
In a controlled trial of a home-care service available for the first 6 months after acute stroke, 440 patients received the new service and 417 patients were in the control group. The trial group used more hospital bed days, had a slightly higher admission rate, and did not show better emotional adjustment to stroke than the control group. There was no difference between the 2 groups in stress on relatives. Functional recovery was equal in the 2 groups. A quarter of patients managed at home in each group were severely disabled. Providing a new service does not necessarily alter clinical decisions in the short term, and care should be taken before expanding domiciliary services to reduce hospital use.
Wade
D T
DT
Langton-Hewer
R
R
Skilbeck
C E
CE
Bainton
D
D
Burns-Cox
C
C
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged