The project reviewed the impact of implementing a transdisciplinary service in the Acute Stroke Unit (Toowoomba Hospital) on patient and service outcomes by comparing Short Stay Stroke Service (SSSS) with the standard multidisciplinary model of care.
Transdisciplinary Stroke Service
Initiative Type
Model of Care
Status
Close
Added
Last updated
Summary
Key dates
Jul 2017
Jun 2019
Implementation sites
Geriatric Adult Rehabilitation and Stroke Service (GARSS), Toowoomba Hospital
Aim
- Introduction of an innovative transdisciplinary Short Stay Stroke Service (SSSS) model.
- Compare the patient and service outcomes of SSSS and the current standard (multidisciplinary) model of care, in the management of mild stroke patients with predicted admissions of seven days or less.
Benefits
- Reduced length of stay (LOS)
- Effective and comprehensive allied health assessment
- Improved patient journey
- Increased identification of ongoing needs and referral onwards
- Reduced wait time to access community rehabilitation services
- Fewer presentations to ED, less re-admissions to hospital and shorter LOS when re-admitted
- High levels of patient and staff satisfaction
Background
A review of Allied health services indicated that the introduction of a trans-disciplinary approach to patient care would be beneficial in the care of stroke patients. A literature review highlighted emerging evidence that patients who present with mild stroke deficits are assessed and discharged prematurely from allied health due to their high functioning acute presentation. This patient population develop deficits particularly with mood and cognition that become apparent in the months post stroke. There was a consistent trend of assessment duplication for stroke patients including overlap in many areas of physiotherapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT).