Management of stroke in the Australian Indigenous population: from hospitals to communities

• DOI: 10.1111/imj.14303
• Publication Date: 2019-03-25T08:41:57Z
• Authors: Clare Tiedeman; Belinda Suthers; Benjamin Julien; Anna Hackett; Patrick Oakley
• Keywords: Stroke

Abstract Background Ischaemic strokes lead to significant morbidity and mortality within the Australian Indigenous population, with known variances in management of between indigenous non‐indigenous populations. Aims To compare investigations patients presenting a New South Wales rural referral hospital an ischaemic stroke national standards across inpatient outpatient settings. Methods Historical cohort study 43 167 admitted Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital cerebrovascular accident. Results were significantly less likely have completed, including carotid imaging (93.8% vs 100%, P = 0.012) echocardiography (73.3% 97.7%, 0.004). Discharge follow up was lower for population (74.4% 87.4%, 0.034). 15.8 years younger than subjects (56.8 72.6 old; < 0.001). more risk factors, smoking (51.2% 15.0%; 0.001), diabetes mellitus (37.2% 16.8%, 0.003) past history accident or transient attack (50.2% 31.1%, 0.032). Conclusions The investigation post‐discharge care is inferior patients. NSW higher prevalence preventable disease, those that confer risk. Further research needed investigate cause these discrepancies improving hospitals primary providers.