Outcome of patients with stroke admitted in stroke care unit and Neurologic

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.