| Methods |
Uncontrolled before‐and after study, with one concurrent control group. Retrospective data collection. |
| Participants |
544 patients with ischaemic stroke ‐ CP group 322 and 'before' group 222. Also another comparison of 346 patients ‐ CP group 285 and concurrent control group 61. |
| Interventions |
TREATMENT GROUP: critical pathway care from August 1994 to July 1995; acute multidisciplinary care in first 3 days including diagnosis, investigations, emergency room management, secondary prevention and rehabilitation planning; standard physician's orders and algorithms. CONTROL GROUP: undefined patient care for 'before' group (from July 1993 to June 1994) and concurrent control group (from August 1994 to July 1995). |
| Outcomes |
Mean LOS (days): CP=6.33+/‐4.45 vs Before=7.52 +/‐5.26. Median LOS (days): CP=5.0 vs Before=6.17. Mean LOS (Aug to Dec 1994): CP=5.83+/‐4.2 vs CC=5.85+/‐5.36. Mean LOS (Jan to July 1995): CP=5.42+/‐3.56 vs CC=8.22+/‐5.05. Documentation of focal neurological deficit: CP=287/322 vs Before=169/222. ECG: CP=312/322 vs Before=215/222. Coagulation screen: CP=280/322 vs Before=167/222. Second CT scan: CP=290/322 vs Before=135/222. |
| Notes |
Acute stroke. All groups similar in characteristics. Compliance to CP was generally good. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
D ‐ Not used |
