Background
The inconsistent inclusion of clinical information in a discharge summary following an admission with life-disabling stroke is often operator-dependent. This is contributed by the absence of standardized checklists to ensure good quality of documentation. This quality improvement project (QIP) aimed to evaluate the quality of the discharge summaries, introducing templates with checklists tailored to each stroke category, and collecting outcomes following the intervention.
Methods
This QIP was conducted in the stroke unit of Box Hill Hospital from January 2025 to December 2025. The discharge summaries completed from January 2025 to June 2025 were evaluated based on a 14-item checklist. A new template was then introduced in July 2025. The quality of discharge summaries post-intervention was evaluated.
Results
There were 494 discharge summaries included (234 pre-intervention and 260 post-interventions). The compliance with new templates was 84.6% (220/260). There was an increase in documentation of stroke etiology from 15.6% (70/205) to 48.6% (218/244). The clarity in clinic follow-up for post-stroke care also improved, with decrease of insufficient details provided from 15.2% (75/234) to 1.0% (5/260). The required investigations to organize post-discharge was better communicated, with improvement from 17.2 % (85/233) to 30.4% (150/260). Driving restrictions, where applicable, were included, from 11.8% (53/204) to 45.5% (204/244).
Conclusions
Introduction of a standardised checklist over 6 months improves the quality of discharge summary and allows clear communication between General Practitioners and hospital team. Further periodic audits will provide more data on the sustainability and compliance of the template.