Rehabilitation after stroke: changes between 2002 and 2007 in services provided by district health boards in New Zealand. The New Zealand medical journal [N Z Med J] Journal article

AIM: To determine changes between 2002 and 2007 in stroke rehabilitation services provided by district health boards (DHBs) in New Zealand (NZ).
METHOD: A questionnaire about organisation of stroke rehabilitation services and use of recommended guidelines was sent to hospitals in all 21 DHBs.
RESULTS: Seven DHBs serving 49% of the NZ population provided a designated inpatient area for stroke rehabilitation in 2007 compared with one DHB serving 10% of the population in 2002 (p<0.001). In six DHBs (37%), this designated area was within a general rehabilitation unit. Only one DHB (12%) had a dedicated stroke rehabilitation unit. DHBs with a designated stroke rehabilitation area (SRA) were more likely to have multidisciplinary teams that spent more than half of the time with stroke patients (94% population with SRA versus 22% without SRA; p<0.001), audit their services (90% vs 39%; p<0.001), and provide education sessions for patients/families (82% vs 55%; p 0.004). However, many DHBs did not have guidelines for the management of common aspects of stroke care. CONCLSION: Stroke rehabilitation services have improved since 2002 but concerns exist about the variability and quality of services provided. A consistent national approach to implementation of guideline recommendations and audit of services is required.

The New Zealand medical journal [N Z Med J]