Authors' recommendations: Care in ordinary stroke units resulted in probably lower mortality than care in general medical wards, whereas there was possibly little or no difference between the two strategies for moderate or severe stroke sequelae. The comparison of two different stroke units (with and without early discharge) showed possibly little or no difference in mortality and dependency with care in stroke units with early supported discharge. Based on our health economic model, it appeared that ordinary stroke unit care was cost-effective relative to conventional care. Moreover, stroke unit care followed by early supported discharge was cost-effective compared with ordinary stroke unit care. The sensitivity analyses indicated that stroke unit care followed with early supported discharge most likely was the most cost-effective strategy. Future research on this comparison will possibly give a better picture of the relationship between these two ways of organizing stroke care.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.kunnskapssenteret.no/Publikasjoner/9699.cms?language=english&threepage=1

Year Published: 2010

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Norway

Organisation Name: Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Contact Address: Universitetsgata 2, Postbox 7004 St. Olavs plass, NO-0310 Oslo NORWAY. Tel: +47 23 25 50 00; Fax: +47 23 25 50 10;

Contact Name: Berit.Morland@nokc.no, dagny.fredheim@nokc.no

Contact Email: Berit.Morland@nokc.no, dagny.fredheim@nokc.no

Copyright: Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services (NOKC)