Background:
This project attempts to discover the subjective response needs of 30-day post-acute stroke patients and their family members that were treated in two Northern California hospitals. The goal is to determine the functional level of the Stroke Survivor (SS) as measured by the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and to identify post-discharge needs.
Purpose:
The objective of this project is to identify the patient’s mRS score and post-discharge needs. The study includes stroke education reinforcement, primary care physician follow-up, ancillary services follow-up, discern hospital readmissions rates, and increase patient satisfaction.
Methods:
A list of discharged acute ischemic stroke patients over a three month period was provided to the Stroke Nurse Champion (SNC). A stroke phone call template was created to elicit the patient’s history, diagnosis, and mRS score. Patients with intracranial hemorrhage diagnosis, patients discharged to Skilled Nursing Facilities, and deceased patients were excluded from the study. The SNC performed chart review to determine patient course of hospitalization and stroke care management; places follow-up phone call to patient or family member; and identify the SS needs. When needs were discovered, they were addressed using electronic in-house messaging to patient’s primary care providers and ancillary staff.
Results:
Of the 63 participants, nine required stroke resource follow-up. The average mRS score of 1.84 revealed the patient’s knowledge of self-management to be 100%. There were 13 cases that needed outpatient therapy and Home Health therapy with mRS >2. The study outcome includes readmission rate of 0.03% (n=2) and stroke patient satisfaction >12.5%.
Conclusions:
Based on the mRS score, the SS appropriately met the level of care including rehabilitation needs at home. Post discharge needs of SS included psychosocial support, medication modification and appropriate durable medical equipment. Overall, the SS were satisfied with their care with low incidence of hospital readmission due to their stroke education provided during their hospitalization. Further plans for each hospital facility to consider continuing this project or to change the focus to outpatient support services as well.
Stroke education: Retention effects in those at low- and high-risk of stroke