Mind the gap: ways to enhance therapy provision in stroke rehabilitation

Source: NHS Improvement

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Date of publication: November 2011

In a nutshell: This document explores some of the different models adopted by therapy services to deliver rehabilitation in the context of major change within the NHS nationally and locally.

Length of publication: 52 pages

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]

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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.

Transient ischaemic attack clinics and management of transient ischaemic attacks

Source: Current Opinion in Neurology 2011 Feb; 24 (1): 50-58

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Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: This study reviews the use of transient ischaemic attack (TIA) clinics, other service delivery models, and current TIA management.

Length of publication: 9 page article

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.

Stroke of genius

Source: Nursing Standard 2011 Mar; 25 (30): 20-21

Date of publication: March 2011

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: In this feature, nurses at St George’s Hospital in London explain how they deliver top quality patient care after a stroke.

Length of publication: 2 pages

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.

A Consensus on Stroke: Early Supported Discharge

Source: Stroke 2011 Mar 24 [Epub ahead of print]

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Date of publication: March 2011

Publication type: Consensus Document

In a nutshell: This consensus document on Early Supported Discharge provides core guidelines about the key elements of an effective ESD service and makes research findings from the Cochrane systematic review on ESD accessible to service providers and commissioners.

Length of publication: 6 page article

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.

Stroke survivors in rural areas seek better local services

Source: Commission for Rural Communities

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Date of publication: March 2010

Publication type: News Item

In a nutshell: The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) has given stroke survivors in rural areas the opportunity to comment on their personal experiences of care and the services they have received. Information from patients, families and service providers suggest that living in the countryside can affect the quality of stroke care. The CRC’s research highlights that new ways of working are needed to improve health outcomes and access to services for stroke survivors in rural areas.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

Some important notes: The full report can be viewed online at www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/files/Stroke%20report.pdf 

Progress in improving stroke care – a good practice guide

 Source: National Audit Office

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Date of publication: February 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This good practice guide aims to share innovative solutions to demonstrate how organisations have addressed some of the key issues mentioned in the document ‘Progress in improving stroke care’. The practice guide aims to illustrate how changes in the organisation and delivery of stroke services can lead to improvements in the delivery of stroke care.

Length of publication: 44 pages

Age Disparities in Stroke Quality of Care and Delivery of Health Services

Source: Stroke 2009 Aug; 40: 3328-3335

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Date of publication: August 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: The aim of this study was to determine if access to stroke care, delivery of health services, and clinical outcomes after stroke are affected by age. A prospective cohort study of patients with acute ischemic stroke was undertaken in Ontario, Canada. The study concluded that stroke care delivery was similar across all age groups with the exception of slightly lower rates of investigations in the very elderly.

Length of publication: 8 page article