Promoting Good Health Outcomes through Encouragement of Patient Engagement via the Role of Discharge Facilitator

Discharge from the hospital is a vulnerable time for stroke patients and evidence shows that patients are at significant risk for adverse events including low medication adherence, worsening symptoms, and re-hospitalization. Currently, the University of Utah Neurology inpatient service has no standard procedure to assist patient transition from inpatient to outpatient care. The purpose of this project was to determine if implementing a discharge facilitator could improve continuation of care after discharge by establishing personal contact with patients, facilitating follow-up appointments, and reconciling discharge instructions with patient adherence after discharge.