The Redbridge Stroke Unit--experience gained from a one year study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of stroke unit on overall management of stroke illness within the district.


METHODS
A multidisciplinary stroke unit.


METHODS
Study was made of the mortality, durations of stay and discharge destinations of 76 patients with stroke selected for stroke unit rehabilitation from a total of 164 stroke patients admitted to the Redbridge Hospitals during a 12 month period. These were compared with the outcomes of stroke patients admitted during the year prior to the Unit opening.


RESULTS
There was no difference in mortality, 16% in each group. The durations of admissions of patients treated in the Stroke Unit were longer than the control group, although there was no increase in the mean duration of hospital stay of the total number of stroke patients. When patients treated in the stroke unit were compared with a selected control group taken from the stroke patients admitted during the previous year, 27% more patients were discharged back into the community, 4% less patients required long stay elderly care and 20% less patients required further rehabilitation outside the district. When all stroke admissions were considered, 29% more patients were discharged home, 10% less patients required long stay care and 15% less patients required further specialized rehabilitation.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment in the stroke unit substantially improved patient outcome.
Ezad
M A
MA
Department of Neurology, Redbridge Health Care, King George Hospital, Essex, UK.
Jestico
J V
JV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation