Biblioteca Virtual en Salud

Objective:

To document any effect of clinical rehabilitation pathway management on intubation time, dysfunction and medical expenditure associated with tracheotomy after a stroke.

Methods:

A total of 154 stroke survivors undergoing tracheotomy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 77. Both groups were given routine rehabilitation, while the observation group was additionally provided with clinical rehabilitation pathway management during the rehabilitation intervention. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed before the experiment and after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment. Clinical pulmonary infection scores (CPISs), scores on the Chelsea Physical Function Assessment Scale (CPAx) and hospitalization cost were compared between the two groups.

Results:

The median extubation time of the observation group (2d) was significantly shorter than that of the control group (10d). After 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the average CPIS scores of the observation group were in each case significantly lower than those before treatment and the control group′s averages at the same time points, even though after 4 and 6 weeks of treatment the control group′s average CPIS scores had improved significantly. After 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the average CPAx scores of the observation group were significantly higher than those before treatment and better than the control group′s averages, even though the control group too had improved significantly compared with before the treatment. Hospitalization days, total hospitalization cost, antibiotic cost and laboratory examination cost of the observation group were, on average, significantly lower than those of the control group.

Conclusion:

Rehabilitation path management can shorten the period of intubation, prevent pulmonary infections, relieve dysfunction, and reduce medical expenses for stroke survivors after a tracheotomy. It is worthy of clinical promotion.