About Early Supported Discharge

 

"Most of the evidence of the benefits of ESD services come from trials of a multi-disciplinary ESD team whose work is co-ordinated through regular meetings." (Fearon et al., 2012)

"Most of the evidence of ESD benefits appear to be for patients with moderate disability (initial Barthel index of >9/20)" (Fearon et al., 2012)

Patients receiving ESD:

• returned home earlier
• were more likely to remain at home long-term
• were more likely to regain independence

Best results were seen with:

• well organised discharge teams
• patients with less severe strokes