| Methods |
Retrospective comparative study. From 273 records of admissions from June 1996 to 1997, 30 were randomly selected and 7 excluded because they were not acute. For the treatment group, stroke patients were screened for potential referral to case manager. |
| Participants |
23 patients with ischaemic stroke ‐ CP group 15, control group 8. |
| Interventions |
TREATMENT GROUP: case managed care from 1995. A 5‐day written protocol with guidelines on 12 different elements of multidisciplinary care (e.g. emergency resuscitation, hydration, nutrition, elimination, skin care, psychological support, medications, patient education, and cognition). Case manager coordinated care, educated patient and family, directed resource use, and was responsible for effective implementation and documentation of care. CONTROL GROUP: undefined usual patient care. |
| Outcomes |
Mean LOS (days): CP=4.5 vs Before=2.8. Discharged home: CP=4/15 vs Before=5/8. Institutionalisation: CP=10/15 vs Before=3/8. PT: CP=11/15 vs Before=5/8. OT: CP=11/15 vs Before=5/8. Social worker: CP=3/15 vs Before=0/8. SALT: CP=5/15 vs Before=3/8. Education on stroke risk factors: CP=6/15 vs Before=0/8. Education on medications: CP=14/15 vs Before=0/8. Team communication documented: CP=15/15 vs Before=0/8. |
| Notes |
Acute stroke. Potential selection and documentation bias (i.e. poorer in control group). Both groups similar in age but CP group had more males; no data on other characteristics. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
D ‐ Not used |
