Aphasia Care in the Acute Hospital: Challenges and Opportunities

This retrospective study of 207 people with aphasia examined clinical practice and patient variables in an acute hospital setting of a major tertiary hospital during a one year period. Numerous variables were examined, including but not limited to: basic demographics (e.g., age, gender) etiology of aphasia, evaluation time period, complicating medical conditions, length of hospital stay, number of treatment sessions, family involvement, and discharge location (e.g., rehabilitation, home, nursing home). Results are discussed relative to the challenges to traditional aphasia assessment and management in the acute care setting. The findings have implications for models of aphasia care in this setting