Organised inpatient (stroke unit) care for stroke: network meta‐analysis
Abstract Background Organised inpatient (stroke unit) care is provided by multi‐disciplinary teams that manage stroke patients. This can been provided in a ward dedicated to stroke patients (stroke ward), with a peripatetic stroke team (mobile stroke team), or within a generic disability service (mixed rehabilitation ward). Team members aim to provide co‐ordinated multi‐disciplinary care using […]
Patient-initiated appointment systems for adults with chronic conditions in secondary care
Abstract Background Missed hospital outpatient appointments is a commonly reported problem in healthcare services around the world; for example, they cost the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK millions of pounds every year and can cause operation and scheduling difficulties worldwide. In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report highlighting the need […]
Follow‐up services for improving long‐term outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors
Abstract Background The intensive care unit (ICU) stay has been linked with a number of physical and psychological sequelae, known collectively as post‐intensive care syndrome (PICS). Specific ICU follow‐up servicesare relatively recent developments in health systems, and may have the potential to address PICS through targeting unmet health needs arising from the experience of the […]
Pharmacist services for non-hospitalised patients
Abstract Background This review focuses on non‐dispensing services from pharmacists, i.e. pharmacists in community, primary or ambulatory‐care settings, to non‐hospitalised patients, and is an update of a previously‐published Cochrane Review. Objectives To examine the effect of pharmacists’ non‐dispensing services onnon‐hospitalised patient outcomes. Search methods We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, two other databases and two trial […]
Organisation of health services for preventing and treating pressure ulcers
Abstract Background Pressure ulcers, which are a localised injury to the skin, or underlying tissue, or both, occur when people are unable to reposition themselves to relieve pressure on bony prominences. Pressure ulcersare often difficult to heal, painful, expensive to manage and have a negative impact on quality of life. While individual patient safety and […]
Early supported discharge services for people with acute stroke
Abstract Background People with stroke conventionally receive a substantial part of their rehabilitation in hospital. Services have now been developed that offer people in hospital an early discharge with rehabilitation at home (early supported discharge: ESD). Objectives To establish if, in comparison with conventional care, services that offer people in hospital with stroke a policy […]
Home or foster home care versus institutional long-term care for functionally dependent older people
Abstract Background Changing population demographics have led to an increasing number of functionally dependent older people who require care and medical treatment. In many countries, government policy aims to shift resources into the community from institutional care settings with the expectation that this will reduce costs and improve the quality of care compared. Objectives To […]
Automated telephone communication systems for preventive healthcare and management of long-term conditions
Abstract Background Automated telephone communication systems (ATCS) can deliver voice messages and collect health-related information from patients using either their telephone’s touch-tone keypad or voice recognition software. ATCS can supplement or replace telephone contact between health professionals and patients. There are four different types of ATCS: unidirectional (one-way, non-interactive voice communication), interactive voice response (IVR) […]
Non-medical prescribing versus medical prescribing for acute and chronic disease management in primary and secondary care
Abstract Background A range of health workforce strategies are needed to address health service demands in low-, middle- and high-income countries. Non-medical prescribing involves nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals, and physician assistants substituting for doctors in a prescribing role, and this is one approach to improve access to medicines. Objectives To assess clinical, patient-reported, and […]
Strategies to improve the implementation of healthy eating, physical activity and obesity prevention policies, practices or programmes within childcare services
Abstract Background Despite the existence of effective interventions and best-practice guideline recommendations for childcare services to implement policies, practices and programmes to promote child healthy eating, physical activity and prevent unhealthy weight gain, many services fail to do so. Objectives The primary aim of the review was to examine the effectiveness of strategies aimed at […]