title: Implementation of the comprehensive assessment toolbox for stroke in a medical system.
abstract: The need for outcome assessment in stroke management is a critical part of specialized stroke unit development. The Comprehensive Assessment Toolbox for Stroke was developed for this reason. This study describes the implementation of the Toolbox across a medical system as part of a stroke center of excellence. Toolbox data were collected from 2002 to 2004. Demographic data were analyzed. Patients were categorized by stroke severity. Outcome assessment tools were compared via paired sample t tests. Also, data were analyzed using multivariate methods followed by univariate analysis of variance. Patients improved in outcomes from admission through their hospital stays. Clinically significant improvements were made in the mild and moderately affected groups. The severe stroke group improved the least. Tracking patient outcomes in a consistent way helps with program assessment and comparison. Patients leave rehabilitation at a dependent level in many functional areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH, USA. nlandgraff@ysu.edu
authors.forename: Nancy C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Landgraff
authors.forename: Lucinda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Passek
authors.forename: G Jay
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Kerns
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012944:Social Support; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome