Quality-of-care indicators provide an important framework for developing consistent high-quality care. The commentary by Patrice Lindsay and associates1 provides a framework for acute stroke care but fails to address the necessary link to rehabilitation services.
Although rehabilitation is acknowledged in the article's online appendix as an important component of stroke care,2 the lack of a specific indicator addressing this link during acute care diminishes the importance of timely assessment of rehabilitation needs.
There exists strong evidence that interdisciplinary stroke rehabilitation leads to better functional outcome than does usual care.3 Although there is less evidence regarding the timing of rehabilitation, the need for such services must be determined during acute care to avoid missing this important component of overall stroke care.
We therefore propose that an additional indicator be included for optimal stroke care: timely assessment for rehabilitation when appropriate.