[Treatment in the stroke unit reduces mortality, disability and need for institutional care]

The care of acute stroke patients at a stroke unit is "evidence-based" treatment associated with reductions in mortality, functional disability and hospitalisation rates comparable to those obtained in general hospital care. There are various models of stroke unit treatment and documented results are available for all of them except intensive care and stroke team models. In the combined acute-rehabilitation unit model, the efficacy of which has been shown particularly in Scandinavian hospitals, the emphasis is on constructive teamwork and a combination of systematic, standardised acute treatment and early mobilisation and rehabilitation. These units have shown that they can provide effective services for the acute stroke patient, and that the approach is also associated with economic gain to the community.