Impact of Early Outpatient Follow-up on Acute Care Utilization and Readmission Rates in Stroke Patients.

Abstract

Introduction: Overcrowded emergency departments (EDs) are a critical issue globally, exacerbating delays and impacting care quality. Stroke patients, who often experience acute care encounters postdischarge, represent a significant challenge. This study evaluated the impact of early outpatient follow-up on ED visits and readmission rates within 30 days of discharge among stroke patients at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of stroke patients treated at KAMC between January 1, 2021, and February 29, 2024. Data were extracted from electronic health records, including patient demographics, stroke type, treatment, and postdischarge care. We analyzed the association between early outpatient follow-up (within 30 days of discharge) and subsequent ED visits or readmissions using statistical tests.

Results: Of the stroke patients included, 22.2% experienced acute care encounters within 30 days postdischarge, with 32.9% of these being readmissions. Early outpatient follow-up was significantly associated with reduced acute care encounters (50.3% of patients with follow-up did not require additional acute care, compared to 30.9% of those without follow-up; P = 0.006). Factors such as stroke type, length of hospital stay, and comorbidities did not show significant differences between groups.

Conclusion: Early outpatient follow-up significantly reduces the need for acute care among stroke patients. This underscores the importance of implementing effective postdischarge follow-up strategies to improve patient outcomes and alleviate pressure on emergency services. Future research should explore the specific components of follow-up care that contribute most to these benefits and evaluate broader implications for healthcare systems.