Outcome and Cost for Stroke Patients in Academic and Community Hospitals: Comparison of Two Groups Referred to a Regional Rehabilitation Center

Patients transferred to a regional stroke rehabilitation center from academic hospital centers (124 patients) and from community hospital centers (315 patients) were compared for outcome and cost of treatment. The two groups were matched for Amended International Classification of Disease diagnostic category, age, sex, distribution of weakness, types of neurological deficits, time from the onset of the stroke symptoms to admission to the rehabilitation unit, and the concurrence of major medical problems thought to contribute to cerebrovascular disease. There was no statistically significant difference in functional outcome or length of stay, but acute health care costs for patients treated in community hospitals were about 50% less.