For a patient who had a mild stroke 3 weeks ago and is being prepared for discharge to home, which health professional is MOST appropriate to consult?

For a patient who had a mild stroke 3 weeks ago and is being prepared for discharge to home, which health professional is MOST appropriate to consult?

• A. Skilled nursing coordinator
• B. Occupational therapist
• C. Medical social worker
• D. Primary physician

Answer: (C)

Coordinating discharge planning and post-discharge supports is the key focus. After a mild stroke, moving a patient safely back home hinges on arranging services, resources, and support systems that will be in place after leaving the hospital. The medical social worker specializes in this coordination—assessing home safety needs, arranging home health or outpatient therapy, connecting with community resources, and navigating insurance or financial barriers. They also help plan for caregiver support and transportation, ensuring a realistic, safe plan for returning home. The other professionals have essential roles, but in this context they don’t handle the overall discharge logistics: the occupational therapist focuses on rehab and activities of daily living, the primary physician ensures medical stability, and the skilled nursing coordinator would typically arrange placement in a skilled facility rather than discharge to home.

Coordinating discharge planning and post-discharge supports is the key focus. After a mild stroke, moving a patient safely back home hinges on arranging services, resources, and support systems that will be in place after leaving the hospital. The medical social worker specializes in this coordination—assessing home safety needs, arranging home health or outpatient therapy, connecting with community resources, and navigating insurance or financial barriers. They also help plan for caregiver support and transportation, ensuring a realistic, safe plan for returning home.

The other professionals have essential roles, but in this context they don’t handle the overall discharge logistics: the occupational therapist focuses on rehab and activities of daily living, the primary physician ensures medical stability, and the skilled nursing coordinator would typically arrange placement in a skilled facility rather than discharge to home.