Is length of time in a stroke unit associated with better outcomes for patients with stroke in Australia? An observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Spending at least 90% of hospital admission in a stroke unit (SU) is a recommended indicator of receiving high-quality stroke care. However, whether this makes a difference to patient outcomes is unknown. We aimed to investigate outcomes and factors associated with patients with acute stroke spending at least 90% of their admission in an SU, compared with those having less time in the SU.

Design

Observational study using cross-sectional data.

Setting

Data from hospitals which participated in the 2015 Stroke Foundation National Audit: Acute Services (Australia) and had an SU. This audit includes an organisational survey and retrospective medical record audit of approximately 40 admissions from each hospital.

Participants

Patients admitted to an SU duri

SUBMITTER: Busingye D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6252690 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature