The Advanced Practice Nurse Will See You Now: Impact of a Transitional Care Clinic on Hospital Readmissions in Stroke Survivors

• Published in: Journal of nursing care quality Vol. 35; no. 2; p. 147
• Main Authors: McClain, 4th, Jesse V, Chance, Elisha A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2020
• Subjects: Aged; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Nurse Practitioners - statistics & numerical data; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Patient Readmission - statistics & numerical data; Quality Improvement - statistics & numerical data; Retrospective Studies; Stroke - therapy; Survivors; Transitional Care - organization & administration; United States; United States
• ISSN: 1550-5065
• DOI: 10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000414

There is a paucity of evidence-based, posthospital stroke care in the United States proven to reduce preventable hospital readmissions. Follow-up with a provider after hospitalization for stroke or transient ischemic attack had low compliance rates. This may contribute to preventable readmissions. A retrospective, descriptive chart review to determine whether an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)-led transitional care clinic for stroke survivors impacted 30- and 90-day hospital readmissions. Readmissions between clinic patients and nonclinic patients were compared. The site implemented an APRN-led transitional care stroke clinic to improve patient transitions from hospital to home. The 30-day readmission proportion was significantly higher in nonclinic patients (n = 335) than in clinic patients (n = 68) (13.4% vs 1.5%, respectively; P = .003). The 90-day readmission proportion was numerically higher in nonclinic patients (12.8% vs 4.4%, respectively; P = .058). The results suggest the APRN-led clinic may impact 30-day hospital readmissions in stroke/transient ischemic attack survivors.