A New Stroke Unit: Implementation Issues

Stroke units are geographically distinct units providing dedicated care for people who have suffered a stroke. This study aimed to understand the financial benefits of stroke unit care. The cost of acute beds and the average length of hospital stays were compared between the stroke unit group and the general ward group. The mean length of inpatient stay in the stroke unit group was 43.7 days; in the general medical wards, it was 69.3 days with a significant 95% confidence interval of 36.96–14.19. The reduced length of stay reduced the cost of care provided by the stroke unit. Stroke units provide more cost-effective care.