Reporting

8.3 During transitions, timely, up-to-date, accurate and appropriate patient-related information should be shared with the receiving healthcare providers. 

Reference: Canadian Stroke Strategy, 2010: Clinical guidelines: Kripalani et al., 2007: Systematic review of 73 studies (55 observational studies, 3 RCTs, 7 non-randomised CTs, 8 pre postdesign) (not restricted to aphasia)

NHMRC level of evidence:  I

Rationale: Stroke patient care tends to be complex and require ongoing monitoring and management. Clear and timely communication is essential to ensure continuity of care, patient safety, and reduce the risk of complications and adverse events that can result from confusion or ambiguity during transition points (Canadian Stroke Strategy, 2010).

A systematic review of discharge from hospital cited lack of communication between health professionals as a significant factor contributing to the likelihood of adverse events (Kripalani et al., 2007). For these reasons, clear, timely and accurate information should be communicated between the discharging service and the receiving service and their health professionals at all transitions along the continuum of care.

 References:

1. The Canadian Stroke Strategy. (2010). Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care.  Ottawa, Ontario Canada: Canadian Stroke Network
2. Kripalani, S., LeFevre, F., Phillips, C. O., Williams, M. V., Basaviah, P., & Baker, D. W. (2007). Deficit in communication and information transfer between hospital-based and primary care physicians. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), 297(8), 831-841.