Outcome of patients with stroke admitted in stroke care unit and Neurologic ward of AL-Zahra hospital, Isfahan

Introduction: Admission of patients with severe National Institutes of health stroke
scale (NIHSS Score>16) or moderate (NIHSS 8 through 16) acute stroks is
different. Taking care of stroke patients admitted in stroke unit care (SCU) is costly.
In comparison with admission in general neurology ward, we assessed the outcome
of such patients based on stroke care unit (SCU) versus general neurology ward
admission, based on controlling hypertension, diabetes, bed sore, pneumonia,
mortality and morbidity.
Methods: In this perspective cohort study, 100 patients with moderate or severe stroke
according to NIHSS criteria are assessed. Treatment outcome and complications of
stroke were evaluated. The patients were allocated randomly in SCU or general ward
and matching was according to age, sex and NIHSS. Blood pressure, blood glucose,
evidence of pulmonary infections, bed sore, mortality and duration of admission were
assessed. The results were analyzed using SPSS soft ware.
Results: There was no significant difference between SCU and general ward in the
cases of hypertension control, diabetes control or occurring pneumonia and
mortality rate, but incidence of bed sore was significant between two wards with
the relative risk of 1.5. The duration of being bedridden was significantly different
(P<0.001).
Conclusion: This study shows that there are not significant differences in the cares
given in the SCU and general neurology ward. Thus, these costs analyzing studies
will help physicians deciding to admit patients with stroke in different wards.
Improving quality of care in general wards may be a suitable approach for hospitals
to decline extra costs.