Technical aids in hemiparetic patients: prescription, costs and usage

Objective: The purpose of the study was to document the amount and sorts of technical aids prescribed for hemiparetic stroke patients treated within a one-year period in a German rehabilitation centre.Design: A retrospective study checking the medical records, and sending a questionnaire asking for level of satisfaction with the use of technical aids, frequency of use, punctuality of delivery, and cost coverage to patients after discharge.Setting: A department of a neurological rehabilitation clinic (Klinik Berlin) in Germany.Subjects: All stroke patients treated in one year.Results: The medical records of 466 patients were checked: 194 (42%) of them received at least one technical aid with a mean of 2.1 items per person, totalling ECU 690 per person. These 194 patients were sent questionnaires at home six to ten months after discharge: 121 (62.3%) questionnaires were returned. Ninety-four patients used their technical aids regularly, 19 occasionally and eight had abandoned usage of wheelchairs and orthos...