RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Stroke unit care, inpatient rehabilitation and early supported discharge
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 173
OP 177
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.17-2-173
VO 17
IS 2
A1 Helen Rodgers
A1 Chris Price
YR 2017
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/17/2/173.abstract
AB 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.