Are stroke units cost effective? Evidence from a New Zealand stroke incidence and population-based study

Source: International Journal of Stroke 2011 Oct 20. [Epub ahead of print]

Follow this link for abstract

Date of publication: October 2011

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: This study aims to evaluate the cost effectiveness of stroke units by comparing the costs and outcomes for patients admitted to a stroke unit with those admitted to a general ward.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library for the full text of this article. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Direct costs of patients with stroke can be continuously monitored on a national level: performance, effectiveness, and costs of treatment episodes in stroke (PERFECT stroke) database in Finland

Source: Stroke 2011 Apr 28. [Epub ahead of print]

Follow this link for abstract

Date of publication: April 2011

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell:  A team of researchers in Finland have developed a system for monitoring the cost of stroke treatment at a national level using individual patient data.

Length of publication: 6 page article

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Atrial fibrillation – detection and optimal therapy in primary care

Source: NHS Evidence Quality and Productivity

Follow this link for full text

Date of publication: November 2009

Publication type: Best practice

In a nutshell: Each year there are 16,000 strokes in patients who have atrial fibrillation. Warfarin reduces the risk of stroke by 50-70%, but an estimated 46% of patients who would benefit from anticoagulants are not receiving them. This case study outlines details of savings which have been made to NHS Trusts by identifying patients with atrial fibrillation and preventing stroke.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: The case study is based on a project run by the NHS Stroke Improvement Programme.

Replacing aspirin and warfarin for secondary stroke prevention: is it worth the costs?

Source: Current Opinion in Neurology 2009 Nov 25. [Epub ahead of print]

Follow this link for abstract

Date of publication: November 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: This study aims to determine if it is cost-effective to replace aspirin and warfarin with more effective, yet more costly, treatments for secondary stroke prevention.

Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cardiac and Stroke Network Event Presentations

Source: Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cardiac and Stroke Network

Follow this link for presentations

Date of publication: August 2009

Publication type: Presentations

In a nutshell: The Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cardiac and Stroke Network held a Stroke event at the end of July 2009. These PowerPoint presentations were delivered by the Network and several local Trusts and cover topics including Commissioning, Key Indicators, Measuring Success, Stroke Specific Education Framework and Stroke Communications (which includes an update on the local success of the FAST campaign).

Length of publication: Seven PowerPoint presentations

Cost-Effectiveness of Stroke Unit Care Followed by Early Supported Discharge

Source: Stroke 2009 Jan; 40: 24-29

For abstract link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Stroke places a significant burden on the economy in England and Wales with the overall societal costs estimated at £7 billion per annum. There is evidence that both stroke units (SUs) and early supported discharge (ESD) are effective in treating patients with stroke. This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of the combination of these 2 strategies and compares it with the care provided in SU without ESD and in a general medical ward without ESD. The objective of this study was to model the long-term (10 years) cost-effectiveness of SU care followed by ESD.

Length of publication: 6 page article

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