| Methods |
Uncontrolled before‐and‐after study. Prospective data collection. |
| Participants |
280 patients with stroke and TIA ‐ CP group 173, 'before' group 107. Excluded patients with SAH or unclear diagnosis, "moribund" (undefined) patients, and those without consent. |
| Interventions |
TREATMENT GROUP: systematic care planning with written care plans from Jan to Dec 1985. Conventional multidisciplinary care plus stroke national guideline booklet, systematic care plan documentation, multidisciplinary team meetings, and educational meetings with relatives. CONTROL GROUP: poorly defined patient care from Jan to June 1984 before CP implemented. Multidisciplinary care in similar wards as CP group (regarding diagnostic procedure and medications). Assessments of disability, motor function and neurological status using local instruments (performed after admission, at 1 and 3 weeks, on discharge, and at 3 and 12 months). |
| Outcomes |
Median LOS (days): CP=11 (range 2‐251) vs Before=13 (range 3‐177). Mortality at 1 week: CP=11/173 vs Before=5/107. Mortality at discharge: CP=35/173 vs Before=24/107. Mortality at 3 months: CP=42/173 vs Before=29/107. Mortality at 1 year: CP=48/173 vs Before=41/107. Discharge home: CP=97/173 vs Before=51/107. Institutionalisation: CP=40/173 vs Before=32/107. CT scan: CP=126/173 vs Before=58/107. |
| Notes |
Acute stroke and rehabilitation. Both groups similar except CP group had more males. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
D ‐ Not used |
