Assessment and selection for rehabilitation following acute stroke: a prospective cohort study in Queensland, Australia.

To describe current practice and investigate factors associated with selection for rehabilitation following acute stroke. Prospective observational cohort study. Seven public hospitals in Queensland, Australia. Consecutive patients surviving acute stroke. Rehabilitation selection processes are assessment for rehabilitation needs, referral for rehabilitation and receipt of rehabilitation. Functional impairment following stroke is modified Rankin Scale (mRS). We recruited 504 patients, median age 73 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 62-82), between July 2016 and January 2017. Of these, 90% (454/504) were assessed for rehabilitation needs, 76% (381/504) referred for rehabilitation, and 72% (363/504) received any rehabilitation. There was significant variation in all rehabilitation selection processes across sites ( There was significant inter-site variation in rehabilitation selection processes. The major factors influencing rehabilitation access were assessment for rehabilitation needs, co-morbidities and post-stroke functional impairment. Gaps in access to rehabilitation were found in those with mild to moderate functional impairment.