UM Shore Regional Health has established an important new service , the Shore Post-Acute Care Clinic (SPACC), early in 2016.
Most patients discharged after hospitalization for an acute illness require timely, outpatient follow-up. SPACC is designed to make that happen by bridging the gap between the inpatient and outpatient providers during the immediate post-hospitalization period. The clinic provides a multi-disciplinary team to assess and address needs of patients at high risk for coming back to the hospital or missing critical post-discharge care during the transition from inpatient care to home.
The SPACC also has partnered with community based providers and services in the five-county area to ensure patients receive continuous care once they leave the hospital. Partners include Home Care, Shore Wellness Partners, many of community physicians, the health departments of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties, and emergency services in the region.
A SPACC team member calls identified patient within 72 hours of discharge from the hospital to:
- Review medication orders and overcome barriers to filling discharge medications
- Answer questions and concerns about hospitalization and discharge instructions
- Assist with securing medical equipment
- Schedule and help alleviate any barriers to follow up appointments with primary and specialty care providers
- Provide information and referrals for medical and social services, transportation services and other community resources
The SPACC Team Members are:
Adam Weinstein, MD, Medical Director
Trish Rosenberry, MS, BSN, Clinic Director
Melanie Chapple, PharmD, Pharmacist
Iris Giraudo, RN, Transitions Care Coordinator
Dawnya Englemeyer, MSW, Social Worker
Kathleen Morris, Nurse Tech/Secretary
SPACC may be reached at 410-822-1000, ext. 5080, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Messages received after 5 p.m. will be addressed the next business day.