| Methods |
Uncontrolled before‐and‐after study. Mixed prospective and retrospective data collection. |
| Participants |
139 patients with ischaemic stroke ‐ CP group 24, 'before' group 115. |
| Interventions |
TREATMENT GROUP: case managed care using critical path, from admission to discharge. Multidisciplinary care with case manager and physician accountable for clinical and financial outcome. Weekly multidisciplinary team meetings. Stroke risk factors assessment after admission and Barthel index assessment at discharge. CONTROL GROUP: undefined usual patient care for 1 year before CP implementation. |
| Outcomes |
Mean LOS (days): CP=7.87 vs Before=12.17. UTI: CP=3/24 vs Before=16/115. Pneumonia: CP=0/24 vs Before=1/115. DVT: CP=0/24 vs Before=2/115. MI: CP=0/24 vs Before=1/115. Mean hospital cost ($): CP=5759 vs Before=8894. |
| Notes |
Acute stroke and rehabilitation. Small number of patients in CP group (n=24) in 1 year ‐ unclear reasons (e.g. selection bias by case manager). Both groups similar in characteristics. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
D ‐ Not used |
