Tools and Outcome Measures

 

Recommendations 3.11.1

A stroke service should:

A. agree on standard sets of data that should be collected and recorded routinely

B. use data-collection tools that fulfil the following criteria as much as possible:

• Collect relevant data covering the required range (ie are valid and fulfil a need)
• Have sufficient sensitivity to detect change expected in one patient or difference expected between groups of patients
• Are of known reliability when used by different people on different occasions
• Are simple to use under a variety of circumstances
• Have easily understood scores

C. have protocols determining the routine collection and use of data in their service

• Determining reason for and proposed use of each item
• Allowing individual clinicians choice from two or three tools where no measure is obviously superior
• Reviewing the utility of each item regularly

D. train all staff in the recognition and management of emotional, communication and cognitive problems

E. have protocols to guide the use of more complex assessment tools, describing:

• When it is appropriate or necessary to consider their use
• Which tool(s) should be used
• What specific training or experience is needed to use the tool(s)

F. measure (change in) function at appropriate intervals.

Sources 3.11.2

A.–B. Consensus

C. Consensus (Wade 1998;Wikander et al 1998)

D.–F. Consensus

 

References

Wade D (1998) Evidence relating to assessment in rehabilitation. Clinical Rehabilitation 12: 183–6.

Wikander B, Ekelund P,Milsom I (1998) An evaluation of multidisciplinary intervention governed by functional independence measure (FIM) in incontinent stroke patients. Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 30 (1): 15–21.