For instance, patients with renal failure survived a median of 17 days compared with 77 days for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Finally, there was substantial variation in survival according to the type of hospice provider, even after adjustment for patient characteristics. Although earlier referral of patients to hospice care would increase Medicare costs for such care, these increased costs might be more than offset by the savings realized through reducing more expensive hospital costs. Moreover, patients who were hospitalized for many days during the month before hospice enrollment tended to have relatively short survival after enrollment. These patients may have received costly and perhaps unnecessarily aggressive care for an unduly long period before entering a hospice, according to the researchers, who conclude that, to the extent possible, earlier hospice referral might have been more beneficial to these patients.
Muscle strength enables muscles to efficiently contract, allowing movement and improved function.
However, muscle strength is only one aspect of neurological deficit that occurs with stroke-induced upper motor neuron injury. Although the results did not necessarily confirm sustained improvement in muscle strength or actual functional improvement, they nonetheless provide promising support for the use of FES, according to the researchers. Also, there is little if any risk associated with their use. The researchers conclude that, given the large burden of stroke-related disability and the few effective therapies, the thoughtful and selective use of FES is warranted. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 77, pp.