The recommendations for stroke best practice suggest that mild stroke patients could receive their therapy within an ambulatory environment. However, a significant number of mild stroke patients continue to be admitted to inpatient rehabilitation. A retrospective chart audit was conducted for acute stroke discharges from two centres in Ontario. Stroke cases with a Projected Full FIM® > 80, we're stratified into two groups: discharged home - discharged to inpatient rehabilitation. There were 813 patients eligible for inclusion. Overall, 33% of mild stroke patients were admitted to inpatient rehabilitation. The results did not explain why so many mild stroke patients are admitted to inpatient rehabilitation. The two groups did not differ in rates of recurrent stroke or re-admission to hospital at follow-up. According to the results, milder stroke patients may effectively be managed in the community where rehabilitation services are available.

The recommendations for stroke best practice suggest that mild stroke patients could receive their therapy within an ambulatory environment. However, a significant number of mild stroke patients continue to be admitted to inpatient rehabilitation. A retrospective chart audit was conducted for acute stroke discharges from two centres in Ontario. Stroke cases with a Projected Full FIM® > 80, we're stratified into two groups: discharged home - discharged to inpatient rehabilitation. There were 813 patients eligible for inclusion. Overall, 33% of mild stroke patients were admitted to inpatient rehabilitation. The results did not explain why so many mild stroke patients are admitted to inpatient rehabilitation. The two groups did not differ in rates of recurrent stroke or re-admission to hospital at follow-up. According to the results, milder stroke patients may effectively be managed in the community where rehabilitation services are available.