Abstract
Background and purpose: Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the Czech Republic (CR). Specialized in-patient stroke unit care improves the outcome of stroke patients. The aim of the study was to chart and improve the current facilities. Methods: Neurological in-patient departments exist in 75% of the districts in the CR, and in the capital Prague. Questionnaires were sent to all 79 neurological in-patient departments. A χ2 test was used for the evaluation of statistical significance. Results: There is better access to intensive/intermediary care beds (statistically not significant) and to angiography (statistically significant) in the districts with a population density of over 151 inhabitants per km2 than in districts with a lower population density (p = 0.09 and p = 0.008). Stroke patients have access within 1 hour to computed tomography of the brain in all but one, and to laboratory tests in all districts with a neurological in-patient department(s). There is no statistically significant difference in the availability of ultrasound examination of extracranial brain arteries between the sparse, and more populated districts (p = 0.715). Conclusions: Facilities for the establishment of stroke units are quite good in the majority of highly populated areas; however, they are worse in some of the larger towns. The results of the study must be used to further improve the development of stroke care in the CR.
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Herzig, R., Urbánek, K., Vlachová, I. et al. Facilities for acute stroke patients care in the Czech Republic: Nationwide epidemiological study. Eur J Epidemiol 18, 19–26 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022537000301
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022537000301