Stroke units - The Norwegian experience

The main aims of acute stroke care should be to reduce death and disability. Treatment in stroke units is the only treatment option proven to reduce death in acute stroke patients. Stroke unit care is also the only treatment which has shown a marked reduction in disability for general stroke patients, and also the only treatment with beneficial long-term effects on survival, disability and quality of life. Most acute hospitals in Norway have established stroke units. The recommended stroke unit model is a non-intensive combined unit able to focus simultaneously both on acute care and rehabilitation. This model has been very well evaluated in randomised trials and has achieved some of the best results regarding acute stroke care. Hence one can probably conclude that stroke unit care in Norway is evidence based. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.