Pros and cons of critical-care pathways in managing stroke

Abstract

D ramatic reductions in complication rates and the duration of hospital stay of patients with stroke can be achieved by implementing critical-care pathways, according to a number of case reports presented at the American Heart Association’s 22nd International Joint Conference on Stroke and Cerebral Circulation [ Anaheim, US; February 1997 ]. Despite the availability of these data, it appears that many physicians are still reluctant to embrace this new approach to patient care.