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CMAJ • September 17, 2002; 167 (6)
© 2002 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors

Review
Synthèse

Description and evaluation of an acute stroke unit

Stephen J. Phillips*, Gail A. Eskes*{dagger}, Gordon J. Gubitz* and on Elizabeth, II

From *the Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, and {dagger}the Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University and Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NSPast and present members of the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Acute Stroke Team: Eslier Aguilar, Lindi Barkhouse, Joanne Brown-Bonomo, Krista Buchanan, Allison Callaghan, Cathy Ann Casault, Christine Christian, Wilma Clancy, Leanne Coleman-Kamphuis, Margie Collins, Mary-Elizabeth Cooper, Caroline Corkum, Penny Dalgarno, Sultan Darvesh, Jill Dollimount, Vicky Dwyer, Angela Edwards, Jill Flynn, Ann Grantmyre, Wendy Green, Ed Harrison, Janey Hughes, Judith Jarrett, Michelle MacKay, Clarke MacKenzie, Eileen MacKinnon, Abbigail May, Deidre McLean, Susan McNeil, Maureen Merchant, Shannon Nearing, Yvette Reidy, Steve Sampson, Shirley Sanford, Stancy Singh, Sandy Singleton, Susan Smith, Myrna Sutherland, Anne Wagner, Elan Wojick and the nursing staff of the Acute Stroke Unit

Correspondence to: Dr. Stephen J. Phillips, Division of Neurology, Rm. 3831, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St., Halifax NS B3H 3A7; fax 902 473-4438; stephill{at}is.dal.ca

Abstract

CLINICAL TRIALS HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE SUPERIORITY OF COORDINATED interdisciplinary stroke unit care over conventional treatment of stroke patients on general medical wards. The evidence is so strong that several national bodies have recommended that stroke unit care be widely implemented. Translation of these research findings and care guidelines into clinical practice, however, represents a challenge for health care systems unaccustomed to managing stroke in a coordinated manner. This report describes the organization, operation and outcomes of the Acute Stroke Unit at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. By replicating and adapting the core characteristics identified in the randomized trials, we have been able to demonstrate the effectiveness of stroke unit care in a routine clinical setting. Our experience may help facilitate the development of organized stroke care in Canada.




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