Case management for stroke patients

04.05.2016 15:19

“Time is brain” say neurologists. After a stroke, only a few hours determine the future of life. One in two survivors is permanently disabled, and many of those affected subsequently require care. “Time is the crucial factor in keeping the cognitive and physical consequences of a stroke as low as possible,” says Dr. Max Wunderlich, head of health management at “Central” health insurance. “And that also applies to rehabilitation,” he makes clear.

Acute treatment has improved significantly in recent years: more and more people affected are being treated in specialized intensive care units, so-called stroke units. Rapid rehabilitation is also important for a positive course of the disease. This is the only way to regain lost skills. Unfortunately, too many patients are “lost” between the acute hospital and the rehabilitation facility or after discharge from the rehabilitation hospital. There are waiting times: waiting times that can be avoided. Waiting times that can have a devastating impact on the course of the disease.

This is exactly where case management at “Central” comes into play. Specially trained health coaches ensure a smooth course of therapy without waiting times. In addition – and this is new – they help patients regain security in their lives outside of the clinic. This includes those affected changing their lifestyle so that they do not suffer a reinfarction.

Take control of your lifestyle

It has been proven that patients know too little about the relationships between stroke, lifestyle and medication. It is also known that patients have difficulty getting their risk factors such as obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption and stress under control. “Our health system does not provide for the provision of this knowledge. “However, it is very important to avoid a reinfarction or secondary illnesses,” Wunderlich makes clear. That's why the health coaches at "Central" explain their own health risks and develop a new life concept together with the patient. They inform and motivate those affected to reduce risks and take medication regularly.

Prevent loss of autonomy and depression

Almost all stroke patients are depressed. Many suffer from depression in the first six months. Loss of autonomy due to linguistic and physical sequelae or the fear of a reinfarction threaten life. To ensure that depression, as a known consequence, is treated appropriately and does not affect the course of therapy, the coaches systematically look for signs of depression in all participants.