Hyper acute stroke unit patient suitability for early supported discharge: Coordination and data analysis project

Research has shown the benefits of early supported discharge (ESD) from stroke units on patient outcomes as well as reducing bed days in hospital. This 6-month project identified that there are higher numbers of patients (12%) who could go home earlier from the hyper acute stroke unit via ESD services when there was an ESD coordinator role in place. In order for this to occur, however, there needs to be a closer interprofessional working relationship with social services with regards to ensuring that both patient health and social needs are met. This role could potentially increase the amount of appropriate patients being discharged to ESD teams, thus allowing access to evidence-based care. This short report describes how appropriate coordination can meet patient needs while saving the local stroke health economy over £230 000 in a 6-month period.