Department of Physiotherapy

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    The profile and outcomes of stroke patients discharged from a hospital In the Eastern Cape
    (University of Western Cape, 2012) Cunningham, Natalie Lorinda; Rhoda, Anthea
    Stroke is the third leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The Uitenhage Provincial Hospital admits many stroke patients. To date, no in-depth study has been conducted on stroke patients admitted to the Hospital. This study identified the profile of stroke patients admitted to the Uitenhage Provincial Hospital and explored the challenges that these patients experienced post stroke. A concurrent mixed model design was used to collect the data. Firstly retrospective data was obtained by means of a quantitative data gathering instrument designed by the researcher. The information obtained, included data relating to demographic characteristics, reported risk factors relating to stroke, stroke onset-admission interval and length of hospital stay, as well as information relating to the process of physiotherapy. Secondly quantitative prospective information was collected by means of the Barthel Index, the Modified Rankin Scale and the Facilitators And Barriers Survey. The sample for the quantitative phase was drawn from medical records of 168 stroke patients admitted to the Uitenhage Provincial Hospital from the 1 of January 2008 up to and including the 31 of December 2009. For the second prospective quantitative part of the study, participants were selected conveniently from the admitted patients. In the qualitative phase, nine participants taken of the sampled participants were selected. The Microsoft Excel 2007 Package and the SPSS 18 for social sciences were used to analyse the quantitative data. Means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages were calculated for descriptive purposes and the Chi-square test was used to test for associations between variables. Qualitative analysis began with the transcription of voice recordings and the translation of relevant Afrikaans transcription into English. Emerging categories were identified within the pre-determined themes. Permission and ethical clearance was obtained from the Higher Degrees Committee and the Senate Research and Grants and Study Leave Committee of the University of the Western Cape and permission to conduct this study was also obtained from the Medical Superintendent of the Uitenhage Provincial Hospital. Altogether 461 patients had been admitted with stroke during the relevant period, but only 168 could be included in the retrospective quantitative study. The mean age of the participants was 61,54 years; 59% were females and 41% males. The majority of the participants (86,9%) were admitted on the same day of stroke onset, and the mean length of hospital stay was 7,38 days. Hypertension was the most common reported risk factor, at 79%. Only 165 of the participants received physiotherapy while hospitalised, with the mean total physiotherapy sessions being 2,56 sessions. In 90% of the cases, physiotherapy sessions were discontinued due to the patient being discharged from the Hospital. The mean Barthel Index score was 81,46 and the family care domain of the Modified Rankin Scale was the most affected. Participants experienced participation restrictions and activity limitations due to stairs, gravel surfaces and kerb cuts. During the qualitative interviews participants reported activity limitations related to walking and activities of daily living. The participants also experienced participation restrictions, which included dependency on others, decreased social support and an array of emotions experienced post stroke. The current study’s findings suggest that the discharge of patients from the hospital post stroke should follow a mulitidisciplinary approach. Rehabilitation professionals should play an active role in the discharge process in providing patient and caregiver education.