Stroke unit care

The organisation of hospital services to provide stroke unit care is the single most important recommendation for improving stroke management.

Models of stroke unit care described in the literature include:

• acute stroke unit – acute unit in a discrete ward (usually discharged within seven days),
• comprehensive stroke unit – combined acute and rehabilitation unit in a discrete ward,
• stroke rehabilitation unit – a discrete rehabilitation unit for stroke patients who are transferred from acute care 1–2 weeks post stroke, and
• mixed rehabilitation ward – rehabilitation provided on a ward managing a general caseload.
   

The evidence for the benefits of stroke unit care is clearest for units that can provide several weeks of rehabilitation on a comprehensive stroke unit or stroke rehabilitation unit. Services that can provide combined or highly integrated acute and rehabilitation care appear to deliver the best outcomes.

For current research and evidence-based recommendations see our Clinical Guidelines.