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. 2012 Apr-Jun:12:e123.
doi: 10.5334/ijic.744. Epub 2012 May 25.

Towards a better integrated stroke care: the development of integrated stroke care in the southern part of the Netherlands during the last 15 years (Special 10th Anniversary Edition paper)

Ron Heijnen  1 , Martien Limburg, Silvia Evers, George Beusmans, Trudy van der Weijden, Jos Schols
Affiliations

Towards a better integrated stroke care: the development of integrated stroke care in the southern part of the Netherlands during the last 15 years (Special 10th Anniversary Edition paper)

Ron Heijnen et al. Int J Integr Care. 2012 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke care is complex and often provided by various healthcare organisations. Integrated care solutions are needed to optimise stroke care. In this paper, we describe the development of integrated stroke care in the region of Maastricht during the last 15 years.

Description of integrated care case: Located in the south of the Netherlands, the region of Maastricht developed integrated stroke care to serve a population of about 180,000 people. Integration was needed to improve the continuity, coordination and quality of stroke care. The development of integrated care in Maastricht was a phased process. The last phase emphasized early discharge from hospital and assessing the best individual rehabilitation track in a specialized nursing home setting.

Discussion and lessons learned: The development and implementation of integrated stroke care in the region of Maastricht led to fewer days in hospital, more patients being directly admitted to the stroke unit and an earlier start of rehabilitation. The implementation of early discharge from the hospital and rehabilitation assessment in a nursing home led to some unforeseen problems and lessons learned.

Keywords: Netherlands; integrated care; stroke service.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Stroke care model of the stroke service Maastricht in 2004.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Content of assessment at the nursing home assessment unit.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The redesigned integrated stroke service Maastricht.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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