The Effect of Inter-Departmental Stroke Meetings on Rehabilitation in a Comprehensive Cerebrovascular Center

BACKGROUND Stroke is the number one cause of adulthood disability in Korea. Rehabilitation after stroke can minimize functional disability, enhance recovery toward independence, and optimize community reintegration. The inter-departmental stroke meeting (IDSM) is a potential method to improve rehabilitation outcomes in patients with stroke. We aimed to analyze the effect of IDSM on rehabilitation after acute ischemic stroke management. METHODS Medical records of 753 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the neurology department of our medical center between January and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. In May 2014, weekly IDSMs were initiated. All physicians responsible for the patient's care reviewed patient treatment, methods of secondary prevention, and future rehabilitation plans. RESULTS The transfer rate significantly increased after initiation of IDSM (phase 2, 3) and the length of stay (LOS) before transfer to the rehabilitation department decreased significantly from 9.68 ± 8.50 days to 5.75 ± 2.12 days. There was a reduction in the total LOS from 52 ± 28.57 days to 35 ± 27.21 days after IDSMs were introduced. In non-transferred patients also, the total LOS reduced significantly. The transfer rate increased significantly and the LOS before transfer to the rehabilitation department decreased significantly after implementation of IDSM in a subgroup of patients with moderate to severe stroke. CONCLUSION The introduction of IDSM was significantly correlated with improvements in transfer rates and reduction of LOS in hospital. This finding shows that IDSMs are an important intervention to improve therapeutic progress and outcomes for patients with stroke.