Prior to December 2016, any admitted stroke patient requiring rehabilitation was treated via inpatient therapies, regardless of AlphaFIM® score. At that time, publicly-funded rehabilitation post hospital discharge was provided by the home care services with a focus on assessment and urgent safety concerns. These therapies were insufficient to meet the needs of this population. This limited service model impacted timely and safe transitions from hospital.  
Southlake Regional Health Centre received one time government funding to operate an outpatient clinic to expedite transitions from hospital. Patients have access to Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology. These clinicians offer functional, individualized therapies to local patients with diverse impairment levels and goals. 
To date, this clinic has enrolled 149 patients, offering care closer to home and avoiding protracted hospitalization. Cumulatively, this has resulted in a savings of over 1280 hospital bedded days over three quarters through shortened length of stay and avoidance of rehabilitation admission. Patients who received tertiary level care have access to specialized rehabilitation services within their own community. Quarterly review of clinic metrics continues to reveal patient satisfaction scores over 90% positive across all domains measured. These data represent ongoing potential for cost savings and systemic efficiencies by directing patients with less disabling strokes directly into the outpatient program.
In summary, this clinic has provided Southlake Regional Health Centre with an excellent option to expedite discharge (or avoid admission) for patients with acute neurological events. It has facilitated discharge planning and saved over 1280 hospital days to date.

SAVING INPATIENT HOSPITAL BEDDED DAYS THROUGH ACCESS TO MULTIDISCIPLINARY OUTPATIENT NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION SERVICES POST STROKE: AN INDIVIDUALIZED, OUTPATIENT APPROACH