Peter Langhorne1, Alex Pollock. 1. Academic Section of Geriatric Medicine, Level 3, Centre Block, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G4 OSF, UK. P.Langhorne@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of organized inpatient (stroke unit) care has been demonstrated in systematic reviews of clinical trials. However, the key components of stroke unit care are poorly understood. METHODS: We conducted a survey of recent trials (published 1985-2000) of a stroke unit/ward which had demonstrated a beneficial effect consistent with the stroke unit systematic review. RESULTS: We identified 11 eligible stroke unit trials of which the majority described similar approaches to i) assessment procedures (medical, nursing and therapy assessments), ii) early management policies (e.g. early mobilization; avoidance of urinary catheterization; treatment of hypoxia, hyperglycaemia and suspected infection), iii) ongoing rehabilitation policies (e.g. co-ordinated multidisciplinary team care, early assessment for discharge). CONCLUSIONS: This survey provides a description of stroke unit care which can serve as a benchmark for general stroke patient care and future clinical research.
BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of organized inpatient (stroke unit) care has been demonstrated in systematic reviews of clinical trials. However, the key components of stroke unit care are poorly understood. METHODS: We conducted a survey of recent trials (published 1985-2000) of a stroke unit/ward which had demonstrated a beneficial effect consistent with the stroke unit systematic review. RESULTS: We identified 11 eligible stroke unit trials of which the majority described similar approaches to i) assessment procedures (medical, nursing and therapy assessments), ii) early management policies (e.g. early mobilization; avoidance of urinary catheterization; treatment of hypoxia, hyperglycaemia and suspected infection), iii) ongoing rehabilitation policies (e.g. co-ordinated multidisciplinary team care, early assessment for discharge). CONCLUSIONS: This survey provides a description of stroke unit care which can serve as a benchmark for general strokepatient care and future clinical research.
Authors: Dominique A Cadilhac; Joosup Kim; Natasha A Lannin; Christopher R Levi; Helen M Dewey; Kelvin Hill; Steven Faux; Nadine E Andrew; Monique F Kilkenny; Rohan Grimley; Amanda G Thrift; Brenda Grabsch; Sandy Middleton; Craig S Anderson; Geoffrey A Donnan Journal: Neurology Date: 2016-05-04 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Sasha Shepperd; Simon Lewin; Sharon Straus; Mike Clarke; Martin P Eccles; Ray Fitzpatrick; Geoff Wong; Aziz Sheikh Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2009-08-11 Impact factor: 11.069