Discharge Transition for Stroke Survivors: A Modified Version of the “LEAVING CHECKLIST”

A preliminary attempt to standardize a modified Greek language version of the original Discharge Planning LEAVING checklist, developed by the Australian Aphasia Association in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Hersh et al., 2020). We aim to improve transitions from inpatient rehabilitation to home for stroke survivors with and without aphasia. The acronym (ΦΕΥΓΟΝΤΑΣ /’FEVGONTAS/) has been created by co-authors of this work along with Greek speaking professionals from Cyprus and Australia. Standardization was done in a rehabilitation center in Greece where one of the co-authors serves as a speech-language therapist. We compared 3O inpatients stroke survivors with matched groups of 20 post-COVID patients and 20 normals. Results are discussed with regard to challenges individuals face after stroke, and how clinicians involved in discharge planning can enhance safety and patient and family inclusion in discharge discussions.