Clinical Audit of Patients with Cerebrovascular Accident and Transient Ischemic Attack in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, Ireland

Abstract

Abstract

Background:  Stroke is a major health problem and is one of leading causes of morbidity and mortality.

Methods:  A clinical audit comprising retrospective chart review of 101 patients randomly selected from admission register in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, Ireland, was done during the first quarter of 2009. Keeping in view the recommendations, in this audit the following areas were evaluated: type of event, time of event and arrival to hospital, thromboly-tic therapy, past medical history, investigations, smok-ing history, utilization of multidisciplinary services (physiotherapy and occupational therapy, speech and language therapy), medications, referral to GP, carotid pathology, and outcome.

Results:  Of the 101 patients, 43 (42.5%) were males and 58 (57.4%) were females. 47.5% (48/101) had TIA while 52.5% (53/101) had CVA. Of the total pati-ents, 62.8% males and 56.8% females were hyperten-sive and 48.8% of males and 36.2% of females had hypercholesterolemia. Of the total number of patients, 23% of males and 15.5% of females were smokers. Utilization of different multidisciplinary services for males and females was following: physical therapy (46.5% and 45.8%);occupational therapy (11.6% and 15.3%); speech and language therapy (13.9% and 22%). Of all the patients 5% died in the hospital, 77.2% were discharged home and 17.8% were sent to Nursing home for long term care.

Conclusion:  The commonest risk factor for CVA / TIA is hypertension followed by hypercholestero-lemia. Smoke cessation advice should be given to all at risk.

Keywords:  CVA, hypertension, disability and morta-lity.