open access
Care for patients after stroke. Results of a two-year prospective observational study from Mazowieckie province in Poland
Affiliations- Katedra i Zakład Farmakologii Doświadczalnej i Klinicznej, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny
- II Klinika Neurologii, Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii w Warszawie
open access
Abstract
Little has been published about different elements of the health services in long-term follow-up in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The aim of this study was to explore the health services for stroke patients in Poland.
Material and methodsPatients from 3 centres representing different levels of stroke care organization from Mazowieckie province were included. Data on first-ever stroke patients with “onset-to-door” time no longer than 7 days, consecutively admitted to participating centres between March 1 and June 30, 2002 were collected prospectively. Patients were assessed on admission, on discharge and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after discharge. Type of care, rehabilitation, readmissions, consultations and diagnostic procedures were evaluated.
ResultsOne hundred and sixty-four patients with first-ever stroke were included. Twenty-one patients died during hospitalization, and 36 during the two-year follow-up. Most patients were discharged home, under family care. The total rate of readmission decreased over time, from 58% to 11%, and so did the rate of rehabilitation, from 41.5% to 15%. All patients had been seen by their general practitioners and neurologists.
ConclusionsPost-stroke care is provided mostly by family members. Access to rehabilitation is limited and decreases over time. This study could help the authorities in healthcare budget allocation in Poland.
Abstract
Little has been published about different elements of the health services in long-term follow-up in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The aim of this study was to explore the health services for stroke patients in Poland.
Material and methodsPatients from 3 centres representing different levels of stroke care organization from Mazowieckie province were included. Data on first-ever stroke patients with “onset-to-door” time no longer than 7 days, consecutively admitted to participating centres between March 1 and June 30, 2002 were collected prospectively. Patients were assessed on admission, on discharge and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after discharge. Type of care, rehabilitation, readmissions, consultations and diagnostic procedures were evaluated.
ResultsOne hundred and sixty-four patients with first-ever stroke were included. Twenty-one patients died during hospitalization, and 36 during the two-year follow-up. Most patients were discharged home, under family care. The total rate of readmission decreased over time, from 58% to 11%, and so did the rate of rehabilitation, from 41.5% to 15%. All patients had been seen by their general practitioners and neurologists.
ConclusionsPost-stroke care is provided mostly by family members. Access to rehabilitation is limited and decreases over time. This study could help the authorities in healthcare budget allocation in Poland.
Keywords
stroke, post-stroke care, rehabilitation
About this articleTitle
Care for patients after stroke. Results of a two-year prospective observational study from Mazowieckie province in Poland
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Pages
231-237
Page views
260
Article views/downloads
327
DOI
10.1016/S0028-3843(14)60036-0
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2010;44(3):231-237.
Keywords
stroke
post-stroke care
rehabilitation
Authors
Izabela Skibicka
Maciej Niewada
Marta Skowrońska
Anna Członkowska
Andrzej Członkowski
