TITLE:
A comparison between reported and ideal patient-to-therapist ratios for stroke rehabilitation
AUTHORS:
Gabrielle McHugh, Ian D. Swain
KEYWORDS:
Stroke; Rehabilitation; Staffing
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.6B,
June
27,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Objective: Major improvement has
been made in the medical management of stroke in the UK between 2008 and 2010
based on the indicators measured in the National Sentinel Audit. However
based on the same audit, no corresponding improvement has been effected to patient
functional impairment levels on hospital discharge in the corresponding time
frame. This study derived patient-to-therapist ratios as a means of exploring
the amount of rehabilitation time for stroke patients while in hospital care. Method: A purpose specific survey
was developed for completion by stroke teams. From a contact list compiled
primarily in collaboration with the 28 National Stroke Improvement Networks,
the Nth name technique was
used to target stroke teams in each geographical area covered by the 28
networks. Results: A total of 53 surveys were
returned representing 20 of the 28 network areas providing 71% national
coverage. Analysis conducted on 19 of the 37 inpatient hospital care units
that were discrete units, had no missing data for staff numbers, unit bed numbers,
number of stroke patients treated per annum, average unit length-of-stay,
and unit occupancy rates. Staffing levels for some therapies were below the
Department of Health staffing assumptions suggesting that stroke units are
challenged to provide the recommended therapy time. Conclusions: Most stroke
units surveyed are operating below the DH staffing assumption levels and are
therefore challenged in providing the amount of therapy and patient time recommended in the National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines to
facilitate optimal functional recovery for stroke patients.