Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal
Volume 27, Issue 1 , Pages 7-10, 2009

A New Stroke Unit: Implementation Issues

  • Lorraine Sheppard, PhD

      Affiliations

    • School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine, and Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
    • School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, South Australia, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests and correspondence to: Dr Lorraine Sheppard, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, City East Campus, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
    • ,
  • Kwai Fu Ko, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China

Received 18 November 2008; accepted 2 December 2009.

Abstract 

Stroke units are geographically distinct units providing dedicated care for people who have suffered a stroke. This study aimed to understand the financial benefits of stroke unit care. The cost of acute beds and the average length of hospital stays were compared between the stroke unit group and the general ward group. The mean length of inpatient stay in the stroke unit group was 43.7 days; in the general medical wards, it was 69.3 days with a significant 95% confidence interval of 36.96–14.19. The reduced length of stay reduced the cost of care provided by the stroke unit. Stroke units provide more cost-effective care.

Key words:  Chinese , financial , Hong Kong , implementation , stroke unit

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PII: S1013-7025(10)70003-8

doi:10.1016/S1013-7025(10)70003-8

Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal
Volume 27, Issue 1 , Pages 7-10, 2009

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