Integrating COMPASS Model into Routine Post-Acute Stroke After Care

Researchers presented successful results on “Integrating the COMprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) Model into Routine Care” at the AHA/ASA International Stroke Conference 2019 in Honolulu, HI, this month. 

The qualitative anaylsis’ goal was to understand the uptake of the COMPASS Transitional Care model for patients discharged after being treated for acute stroke or transient ischemic attacks, as well as assess the implementation success using real-time feedback from administrators and clininians over a year-long period.

The study analyzed data from clinicians and administrators at 19 hospitals that currently implement COMPASS including: “longitudinal surveys from 19 hospitals, 36 conference calls with 19 hospitals, 19 interviews with clinicians and administrators from 9 hospitals, and 2 interviews with the nurse who oversaw implementation at all 19 sites.”

“Across hospitals, 6.3% to 69.9% of patients received the intervention per protocol,” said the report. “Data were analyzed using open and focused coding techniques for relevant portions of the most widely used implementation framework: RE-AIM (Reach, Adoption, Implementation).” 

The report continued, “Organizational commitment and dedicated resources were critical to successful intervention implementation. Hospitals that were able to address challenges as they arose had primary and backup staff who were adaptable problem solvers committed to implementing the model and had autonomy and administrative support.”—Edan Stanley