Reliability and validity of the adult alpha functional independence measure instrument in England.

It is essential for neuroscience nurses everywhere to have reliable and valid instruments with which to measure functional ability, but reliability and validity have yet to be reported on the adult Alpha Functional Independence Measure (AlphaFIM) in England. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the adult AlphaFIM instrument. Reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha.

Discharge planning from hospital to home.

Background: Discharge planning is a routine feature of health systems in many countries. The aim of discharge planning is to reduce hospital length of stay and unplanned readmission to hospital, and improve the co-ordination of services following discharge from hospital.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of planning the discharge of patients moving from hospital.

Examining assessment tools for discharge planning.

Background: Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust had no common instrument to assess function throughout the trust.

Aim: To compare three functional assessment tools, and provide evidence of reliability and validity.

Method: This was a prospective study of discharge in an acute hospital trust.

Impact of acute stroke unit on hospital length of stay.

Organized inpatient stroke care (stroke unit: SU) has become the gold standard in stroke care nowadays. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of implementing an acute stroke unit on the hospital length-of-stay (LoS) on the basis of discharge planning services. Oxford Radcliffe Hospital Trust (ORHT) founded an acute SU in 2005 and closed the rehabilitative stroke wards which have operated for years.