title: Stroke unit care, inpatient rehabilitation and early supported discharge.
abstract: Stroke units reduce death and disability through the provision of specialist multidisciplinary care for diagnosis, emergency treatments, normalisation of homeostasis, prevention of complications, rehabilitation and secondary prevention. All stroke patients can benefit from provision of high-quality basic medical care and some need high impact specific treatments, such as thrombolysis, that are often time dependent. A standard patient pathway should include assessment of neurological impairment, vascular risk factors, swallowing, fluid balance and nutrition, cognitive function, communication, mood disorders, continence, activities of daily living and rehabilitation goals. Good communication and shared decision making with patients and their families are key to high-quality stroke care. Patients with mild or moderate disability, who are medically stable, can continue rehabilitation at home with early supported discharge teams rather than needing a prolonged stay in hospital. National clinical guidelines and prospective audits are integral to monitoring and developing stroke services in the UK.
authors.affiliation: Newcastle University and honorary consultant stroke physician, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK helen.rodgers@newcastle.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.affiliation: Newcastle University and honorary consultant stroke physician, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Cerebrovascular disease; early supported discharge; multidisciplinary care; rehabilitation; stroke unit