• Dominique A Cadilhac, Nadine E Andrew, Natasha A Lannin, Sandy Middleton, Christopher R Levi, Helen M Dewey, Brenda Grabsch, Steve Faux, Kelvin Hill, Rohan Grimley, Andrew Wong, Arman Sabet, Ernest Butler, Christopher F Bladin, Timothy R Bates, Patrick Groot, Helen Castley, Geoffrey A Donnan, Craig S Anderson, and Australian Stroke Clinical Registry Consortium.
• From the Stroke and Ageing Research, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia (D.A.C., N.E.A.); Florey Institute Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (D.A.C., B.G., C.F.B., G.A.D.); College of Science, Health and Engineering, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (N.A.L.); Occupational Therapy Department, Alfred Health, Prahran, Victoria, Australia (N.A.L.); Nursing Research Institute, St Vincent's Health Australia (Sydney) and Australian Catholic University, New South Wales (S.M.); Priority Research Centre for Translational Neurosciences Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle and Hunter Research Institute, New South Wales, Australia (C.R.L.); Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia (H.M.D., C.F.B.); Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney and St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, Australia (S.F.); National Stroke Foundation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (K.H.); University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (R.G., A.W.); Neurology Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland, Australia (A.W.); Neurology Department, Gold Coast Hospital, Queensland, Australia (A.S.); Neurology Department, Peninsula Health, Frankston, Victoria, Australia (E.B.); Swan District Hospital and University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia (T.R.B.); South West Healthcare, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia (P.G.); Neurology Department, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (H.C.); The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (C.S.A.); and Neurology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (C.S.A.). dominique.cadilhac@monash.edu.
• Stroke. 2017 Apr 1; 48 (4): 1026-1032.

Background And PurposeUncertainty exists over whether quality improvement strategies translate into better health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and survival after acute stroke. We aimed to determine the association of best practice recommended interventions and outcomes after stroke.MethodsData are from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry during 2010 to 2014. Multivariable regression was used to determine associations between 3 interventions: received acute stroke unit (ASU) care and in various combinations with prescribed antihypertensive medication at discharge, provision of a discharge care plan, and outcomes of survival and HRQoL (EuroQoL 5-dimensional questionnaire visual analogue scale) at 180 days, by stroke type. An assessment was also made of outcomes related to the number of processes patients received.ResultsThere were 17 585 stroke admissions (median age 77 years, 47% female; 81% managed in ASUs; 80% ischemic stroke) from 42 hospitals (77% metropolitan) assessed. Cumulative benefits on outcomes related to the number of care processes received by patients. ASU care was associated with a reduced likelihood of death (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.56) and better HRQoL (coefficient, 21.34; 95% confidence interval, 15.50-27.18) within 180 days. For those discharged from hospital, receiving ASU+antihypertensive medication provided greater 180-day survival (hazard ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.52) compared with ASU care alone (hazard ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.76). HRQoL gains were greatest for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage who received care bundles involving discharge processes (range of increase, 11%-19%).ConclusionsPatients with stroke who receive best practice recommended hospital care have improved long-term survival and HRQoL.© 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

35 keywords...

hide…