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Review: organised stroke unit care reduces mortality more than other forms of care for inpatients

P Langhorne

Professor P Langhorne, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; p.langhorne@clinmed.gla.ac.uk

QUESTION
For patients in hospital with stroke, does organised stroke unit (OSU) care improve patient outcomes more than alternative forms of care?

REVIEW SCOPE
Studies selected compared OSU care with alternative care for patients in hospital with stroke, defined as a focal neurological deficit due to cerebrovascular disease, excluding subarachnoid haemorrhage and subdural haematoma. Core features of inpatient OSUs included delivery of a complex package of care by a multidisciplinary team specialising in stroke management. Outcomes were mortality and composite outcomes of mortality and dependency (need for physical assistance with transfers, mobility, dressing, feeding, or toileting) or need for institutional care (residential or nursing home care, or continued hospital stay) at the end of scheduled follow-up.

REVIEW METHODS
Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (Apr 2006) and reference lists were searched for randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials. Experts and coordinators of included trials were also . . . [Full text of this article]

Cydnee Seneviratne

University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada