Stroke patients ready for discharge from acute care- a multi-dimensional assessment of functions and further care

Abstract

It is important to secure continuing adequate care and rehabilitation for elderly severely impaired stroke patients being discharged early from acute care hospitals.

Accuracy and continuity in discharge information for patients with eating difficulties after stroke

“…The discharge process for patients with stroke has not been studied to a great extent. Kumlien et al. (1999), in such a study, found that eating difficulties were seldom recorded in discharge summaries and the PRs were found to be poorly structured and missing vital information, implying a potential threat to patient safety.…”

Multidisciplinary recording and continuity of care for stroke patients with eating difficulties

“…Although informational continuity for persons with chronic illness (e.g., stroke) calls for structured and adequate documentation, few researchers have studied this aspect of continuous stroke care. Information on eating problems has been reported to be scarce among stroke patients discharged to nursing homes (Kumlien et al, 1999). Two Swedish projects investigated documentation in stroke care units and information transfer at discharge (Hassler & Krakau, 2005;Olofsson et al, 2002).…”

“…A large proportion of persons who have survived a stroke have decreased autonomy that is caused by speech or language impairment, depression and impaired memory (Kumlien et al, 1999;Tatemichi et al, 1994), stressing the importance of continuity of care and transfer of adequate information among different professionals and care providers. Continuity of care has frequently been addressed and studied from a wide range of perspectives (CEN, 2001;Sparbel & Anderson, 2000).…”

The nursing care of stroke patients in nursing homes. Nurses’ descriptions and experiences relating to cognition and mood

“…An earlier study (Kumlien et al, 1999) showed that severely impaired stroke patients discharged to nursing homes had a shorter mean length of stay of 5.6 days on an acute ward before the decision to discharge was taken, in comparison with patients discharged to a rehabilitation ward. Patients discharged to nursing homes were in need of special nursing care, medical care, and various types of rehabilitation.…”

“…Patients discharged to nursing homes were in need of special nursing care, medical care, and various types of rehabilitation. They were often cognitively impaired and many suffered from depressive symptoms ( Kumlien et al ., 1999 ).…”