Stroke units, certification, and outcomes in German hospitals: a longitudinal study of patient-based 30-day mortality for 2006-2014.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Treatment of stroke patients in stroke units has increased and studies have shown improved outcomes. However, a large share of patients in Germany is still treated in hospitals without stroke unit. The effects of stroke unit service line, and total hospital quality certification on outcomes remain unclear.

Methods

We employ annual hospital panel data for 1100-1300 German hospitals from 2006 to 2014, which includes structural data and 30-day standardized mortality. We estimate hospital- and time-fixed effects regressions with three main independent variables: (1) stroke unit care, (2) stroke unit certification, and (3) total hospital quality certification.

Results

Our results confirm the trend of decreasing stroke mortality ratios, although to a much lesser

SUBMITTER: Pross C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6249823 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature