Widjaja 2002.
Methods | Uncontrolled before‐and‐after study. Prospective data collection. | |
Participants | 257 patients with all types of stroke ‐ CP group 125, 'before' group 132. | |
Interventions | TREATMENT GROUP: Stroke pathway care from April to June 2001: undefined stroke pathway care; variances collected prospectively and daily from multiple sources; other outcome data collected on discharge; Head of Neurology Division discussed variance findings with MDT and followed up with corrective actions during weekly ward rounds. CONTROL GROUP: undefined patient care from April to June 2000; CP introduced as a method for cost‐containment. | |
Outcomes | Mean LOS (days): CP=9.7 vs Before=16.4 (p<0.001). In‐hospital mortality: CP=7/125 vs Before=16/132 (p=0.07). UTI: CP=16/125 vs Before=22/132 (p=0.38). Pneumonia: CP=10/125 vs Before=13/132 (p=0.6). Weak evidence of reduced delay to CT scan and discharge to "step‐down" facilities. | |
Notes | Acute stroke and rehabilitation. Data collection incomplete in the control group. Groups similar in characteristics. Unclear difference between CP and standard care. | |
Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Allocation concealment? | Unclear risk | D ‐ Not used |