From the Guidelines
The average length of hospitalization for a stroke patient is approximately 6 days, with an inter-quartile range of 3 to 15 days. This duration can vary significantly based on stroke severity and individual patient factors, such as the type of stroke (ischemic vs. hemorrhagic), extent of brain damage, presence of complications, age, pre-existing health conditions, and the patient's response to treatment 1. Mild strokes may require only 3-4 days of inpatient care, while severe strokes can necessitate 2 weeks or longer. The hospitalization period generally includes initial stabilization, diagnostic testing, initiation of treatment, and early rehabilitation assessment. Factors that influence the length of stay include:
- Type of stroke
- Extent of brain damage
- Presence of complications
- Age
- Pre-existing health conditions
- Patient's response to treatment During hospitalization, patients typically undergo various therapies, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy as needed 1. The medical team aims to stabilize the patient's condition, prevent complications, begin rehabilitation, and develop a comprehensive discharge plan that may include continued rehabilitation services, medication management, and follow-up care. This approach helps optimize recovery while managing healthcare resources effectively. According to the guidelines for adult stroke rehabilitation and recovery, rehabilitation services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers with training in neurology, rehabilitation nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech and language therapy 1.
From the Research
Average Length of Hospitalization for Stroke Patients
- The average length of hospitalization for stroke patients can vary depending on several factors, including the type of stroke, severity of the stroke, and the patient's overall health.
- According to a study published in the journal Stroke 2, the average length of stay for patients on a stroke unit was 15 days, compared to 19 days for patients managed on general neurology/medical wards.
- Another study published in the journal Clinical Rehabilitation 3 found that the mean length of hospital stay for stroke patients was 74.9 days for men and 74.7 days for women.
- A study published in the journal Acta Neurologica Scandinavica 4 found that the mean acute length of stay for stroke patients was 12 days, and the mean total length of stay was 29 days.
Factors Influencing Length of Hospitalization
- Several factors can influence the length of hospitalization for stroke patients, including:
- Stroke severity: Studies have shown that stroke severity is a strong predictor of length of stay 2, 4.
- Age: Older patients may require longer hospital stays due to underlying health conditions or slower recovery times 3.
- Prestroke dementia: Patients with prestroke dementia may require longer hospital stays due to increased complexity of care 4.
- Smoking: Smoking has been shown to be an independent predictor of longer hospital stays for stroke patients 4.
- Type of stroke: The type of stroke, such as lacunar stroke, can also influence the length of hospitalization 4.