Implementation of Institutional Discharge Protocols and Transition of Care Following Acute Coronary Syndrome

• Published in: Cardiovascular revascularization medicine 2020-09, Vol.21 (9), p.1180-1188
• Main Authors: Messerli, Adrian W., Deutsch, Christian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute coronary syndrome; Protocols; Transition of care
• ISSN: 1553-8389; 1878-0938
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carrev.2020.02.013

Despite improvements in acute care and survival following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) hospitalization, readmission remains common. In response, individual institutions have begun to develop their own protocols to reduce variability of care and readmission rates. This review provides approaches for developing and implementing institutional discharge protocols for continuity of care for ACS patients and describes key components of the discharge protocol. Furthermore, specific objectives of the protocol, including medication adherence, patient education, enabling access to cardiac rehabilitation, and clinical follow-up, as well as consideration of patient-specific needs, are discussed with the aim of providing successful continuity of care. This review discusses approaches for developing and implementing institutional discharge protocols for continuity of care for patients with acute coronary syndrome. The discussion revolves around key components and objectives of a discharge protocol for facilitating successful transition of care. •Patients with ACS have significant post-discharge mortality and morbidity•A multidisciplinary team should develop a patient-specific discharge protocol•The plan covers hospitalization, discharge medications, and actions if health changes•It coordinates planning for follow-up care and contacting the primary care provider•Education, cardiac rehabilitation programs, and timely follow-up are key