[Stroke unit in a medical clinic: one year results and perspectives].
BACKGROUND
For patients with cerebral ischemia treatment on specialized stroke units is helpful. Details concerning organisation, diagnostic and therapy are discussed controversially. We report about a concept and the one-year results on a stroke unit in a major medical clinic.


METHODS
The unit consists of four beds and is organizationally attached to the intensive care unit. Immediate diagnosis allows an early etiologic classification. Management of main cofactors (hypertension, heart rate, blood glucose, temperature) are regarded important. Neurologic and neuroradiologic expertise are available at any time. Patients are taken care of by specially trained staff (nursing/medical care, physiotherapy, ergotherapy, logopedics).


RESULTS
Within a year (1.10.1999-30.9.2000) 340 patients with cerebral ischemia were treated in our stroke unit (152 men, 188 women, median age 75 years). Approximately 60% of the patients were admitted within 6 hours after the event. The Rankin-Scale was improved from 4 to 1, the Barthel-Index from 50 to 90. Over 60% of the patients were discharged home, 20% were transferred to a rehabilitation unit, 5% into a nursing home, 6% died. 5 patients with carotid stenosis underwent surgical treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective diagnosis and treatment of stroke is achievable under certain qualified conditions in a medical clinic and is indispensable for sufficient care.
Koschel
D
D
Medizinische Klinik, Krankenhaus Hetzelstift, Neustadt a.d. Weinstrasse.
Prassler
R
R
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed