Development of the stroke unit network in Poland--current status and future requirements.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to the World Health Organization establishments and European Stroke Initiative recommendations, every patient with stroke should be treated by a specialized stroke team or in a specialized stroke unit. We aimed to evaluate the development of the stroke unit network in Poland and accessibility of stroke units in 2005.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Questionnaires evaluating structure and staff of neurological departments were sent to all neurological departments in Poland in the second quarter of 2005. We divided departments into the following categories: those having a class A stroke unit (fulfilling criteria of experts of the National Programme of Prevention and Treatment of Stroke) class B stroke unit (conditionally fulfilling those criteria), class C stroke units (not fulfilling the criteria), and departments without stroke units. The classification was presented to the chief consultant in neurology of each voivodship in December 2005 for verification of the data.

RESULTS

We received enquiries from 180 out of 220 (81.8%) departments. Consultants included data of a further 8 departments which did not respond to the questionnaire (188 - 85.5%). 105 departments declared having a stroke unit (58 class A units, 40 class B units, and 7 class C units). 83 other departments do not have stroke units. The most frequent problem that plays a role in classification of departments was the deficit of staff or lack of equipment. It is assessed that the supplementation of diagnostic equipment and staff in existing stroke units and the establishment of 27 new stroke units is required to satisfy current needs.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of the stroke unit network in Poland is proceeding dynamically. There are 105 stroke units in Poland but 45% of them require additional diagnostic equipment and staff.