An audit of follow-up services for stroke patients after discharge from hospital.
A register was kept of all patients admitted to hospital in Nottingham with acute stroke, and survivors were followed up at 1 and 6 months. A quarter of the 183 survivors seen at home 6 months after their strokes were still unable to perform some everyday activities. Only 18% of discharged patients ever received outpatient occupational therapy but 42% received physiotherapy. Those attending outpatient rehabilitation were more likely to improve in functional ability between 1 and 6 months. A third of patients interviewed had not seen their GP since discharge and many with severe disabilities did not receive potentially useful therapy or aids.
Nottingham University Medical School, Great Britain.
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S
Ebrahim
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Barer
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Nouri
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D010351:Patient Discharge; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities