Stroke unit care: recurrence, mortality and institutionalisation rates - a four year follow-up study

Background Robust international data supports the effectiveness of stroke unit (SU) care. Despite this, most stroke care in Ireland is provided outside of this setting. Limited data currently exist on the quality of care provided. Aim The aim of this study is to examine the quality of care for patients with stroke in two care settings-regional general hospital (RGH) and stroke rehabilitation unit (SRU). Methods A retrospective analysis of the stroke records of consecutive patients admitted to the SRU between May-November 2002 and April-November 2004 was performed applying the UK National Sentinel Audit of Stroke (NSAS) tool. Results The results of the study reveal that while SRU processes of care was 74% compliant with standards; compliance with stroke service organisational standards was only 15 and 43% in the RGH and SRU respectively. Conclusion The quality of comprehensive organised stroke care in our area is deficient.