Background and Purpose-Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) is an organized, goal-defined, and time-managed plan that has the potential of facilitating timely interdisciplinary coordination, improving discharge planning, and reducing length of hospital stay. Methods-An ICP for stroke rehabilitation based on evidence of best practice, professional standards, and existing infrastructure was developed. Its effectiveness was tested in 152 stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation who were randomized to receive ICP care coordinated by an experienced nurse (nϭ76) or conventional multidisciplinary care (nϭ76). Results-The age, sex, premorbid functional ability, and stroke characteristics of the 2 groups were comparable. There were no differences in mortality rates (10

Background and Purpose-Integrated care pathways (ICP) may not reduce disability, institutionalization, or duration of hospitalization compared with conventional multidisciplinary team (MDT) care in organized stroke rehabilitation. Their potential to improve patient heath status or satisfaction with care is not known. Methods-A comparison of quality of life, caregiver strain, and patient/caregiver satisfaction at 6 months after stroke was undertaken in 152 stroke patients randomized to receive ICP or MDT care. Differences in processes of care were recorded with the use of a predefined schedule. Multivariate analyses were undertaken to identify the effect of age, sex, stroke severity, functional status, mood, and use of care pathway on quality of life score. Results-The 2 groups were comparable for baseline characteristics of age, sex, stroke severity, and initial disability. MDT care was characterized by greater emphasis on return of higher function and caregiver needs compared with ICP. EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) scores were higher in the MDT group (median, 72 versus 63; PϽ0.005), who also had higher scores for EuroQol dimension of social functioning (Pϭ0.014). Higher EQ-VAS scores were independently related to MDT care (Pϭ0.04), Rankin score (Pϭ0.01), and psychological function (PϽ0.0001) but not to age, sex, or stroke severity. There were no significant differences in patient or caregiver satisfaction between the 2 settings. Conclusions-Better quality of life in patients receiving conventional MDT care may be attributable to improved social functioning and greater attention to higher function and caregiver needs during rehabilitation. (Stroke. 2002;33:1600-1604.)

integrated care pathways may improve assessment and communication, even in specialist stroke settings.