THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE STROKE PROGRAM IN THE ACUTE HOSPITAL

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and an important cause of h ospital admissions and long term disability.(1) The incidence of strok e is estimated at 200 per 100,000 of the population. Dublin has approx imately 2,400 new strokes per annum.(2) In 1989 a comprehensive stroke programme was introduced in St Vincent's Hospital. The aim was to pro vide patients with a coordinated approach to rehabilitation. A study o f the programme was conducted in 1993 by detailed chart review. 129 pa tients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke were referred to the progra mme during a 12 month period. 27.13% were under age 65 and 72.87% were over 65 years, 18% died and 44.2% were discharged home, independently mobile. The study findings suggest that the comprehensive stroke prog ramme in St Vincent's Hospital represents a feasible model of care in the acute general hospital setting.