Methodological issues in monitoring health services and outcomes for stroke survivors: a case study

Adherence to recommendations and clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized for stroke: the role of the admission ward-a real-life investigation from Italy

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether out-of-hospital healthcare and adverse outcomes are better in stroke patients admitted to a neurology ward compared with those admitted to general wards.

METHODS

Beneficiaries of the National Health Service from the Italian Lombardy Region who were discharged alive after hospital admission during the year 2009 for ischemic stroke (9776 patients) or intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage (1102 patients) entered into the cohort and were followed until 2012. Exposure of interest was the ward type where inpatients were admitted (neuro vs. general wards). Outcomes were out-of-hospital healthcare (i.e., drug prescriptions, diagnostic procedures, and laboratory clinical evaluations) and adverse clinical outcomes (i.e., all-cause death and hospital readmission). Exposure-outcome associations were investigated. High-dimensional propensity score methodology was used for taking into account confounders. Mediation analysis was used to verify whether the association between ward type and clinical outcomes is mediated by out-of-hospital adherence to healthcare.

RESULTS

Better adherence to out-of-hospital healthcare received from patients discharged from neuro, rather than general, wards was observed being the proportions of adherent patients 42.4% and 39.5%, respectively. Compared with general wards, discharge from neuro was associated with reduced 3-year emergency admissions (from 50.1 to 47.5% among ischemic stroke patients) and reduced 3-year mortality (from 37.5 to 27.0% among hemorrhagic stroke patients). From 10 to 15% of outcome risk, reductions were mediated by better adherence to out-of-hospital healthcare.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, admission to neuro vs. general wards is associated with better out-of-hospital healthcare and long-term adverse outcomes.

An ecological approach to activity after stroke: it takes a community

BACKGROUND

Biopsychosocial recovery from stroke is remarkable for some individuals, but the majority of stroke survivors have difficulty resuming activities. Even survivors with mild disability become disengaged.

METHODS

Situational analysis grounded theory and ecological models were used to examine the barriers and facilitators to choice of everyday activities of stroke survivors aged 50 to 64 years.

RESULTS

Resuming activities was an iterative process of scaffolding small tasks into activities through bargaining for access to practical support and inclusion into social situations. Although participants geared up to manage their condition and access activities, for the most part they were not in charge of the services and supports they required. They had little control over who was accepted to rehabilitation, for which services they qualified or disability policies.

CONCLUSIONS

There are layers of interactions between individuals and multiple factors in their environments that influence participation. Low poststroke activity levels may be amenable to intervention. Further research should consider the following: (1) participation in activities through the lens of all levels of the socioecological model; (2) the impact of disability and aging-related stigma; (3) the results of ad hoc community navigation; and (4) the effects of restrictive health and disability policies on meaningful activity.

Coverage policy for neurorehabilitation: an international perspective

BACKGROUND

Coverage policy ultimately determines the delivery of services. This article summarizes the authors' effort to ascertain the extent of publically available information on coverage for neurorehabilitation services internationally.

OBJECTIVE

Present available data on neurorehabilitation coverage and examine the needs for further research in this area.

METHODS

Review of published literature, review of government Web sites, survey of World Federation of NeuroRehabilitation (WFNR) program chairs, and attendees of the 2010 World Congress of NeuroRehabilitation.

RESULTS

A wide variation in coverage was found internationally. Data are not routinely accessible.

CONCLUSIONS

Informed policy requires current data. There is an opportunity for the WFNR to provide leadership in policy for neurorehabilitation services by assembling and maintaining current data on coverage policy internationally.