Timing of initial patient contact
Approximately 40% (15 out of 37) of SCCs reported
that they reviewed patients less than one week after discharge
from hospital. A flirther 20 SCCs reviewed patients
between two weeks and three months after hospital discharge.
For patients not admitted to hospital, most SCCs
(71%, n-20) who provided a time scale reported contacting
patients within one week of referral. Six staff did not
indicate a time scale, instead reporting that they prioritized
according to need (n=2), or that they saw patients
'as soon as possible' (n~4).
Evidence-based practice
Twenty SCCs reported using a range of sources of evidence
to inform their practice. The most commonly reported
sources included national guidelines (the Royal College of
Physicians guideHnes for stroke, NICE, Chest, Heart and
Stroke Scotland, Scottish Intercollegiate guidelines and
British Hypertension Society) (n-13 SCC), and research
journal articles (n=9 SCCs). Other sources included
Department of Health publications (n=6 SCCs), and
informal (networking and speaking with patients and
carers) and formal educational routes (i.e. attending conferences)
(n=8 SCCs).