Abstract

Objective: To analyze the impact of continuity of care through the healthcare network on adherence to controls by users who suffered a stroke, evaluating whether the existence of a rescue protocol at the level of Primary Health Care (PHC) increases adherence to controls at the primary and secondary level from hospital discharge. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study. 243 discharge reports from 24 PHC centers of the Northern Metropolitan Health Service (SSMN) of Santiago de Chile were analyzed from September 2017 to August 2018. Information was requested on post-discharge controls in PHC and secondary level and rescue protocol in PHC. Results: Of 24 PHC centers, 14 responded, and 11 applied the protocol. 59.4% of users have total adherence to controls, 11.27% only to PHC controls, 18.0% only secondary level, and 9.8% none. Three CESFAMs do not have a protocol; these users have 41.9% total adherence, 6.5% only PHC, 35.5% only secondary, and 16.1% without adherence. According to Hosmer Lemeshow’s criteria, PHC centers with an implemented protocol are 2.4 times more likely to have users with moderate adherence than none and 2.4 times more likely to have users with complete adherence than moderate. (95%CI (0.56;10.1, p-value:0.240)). Conclusions: Implementing the rescue protocol in PHC increases total adherence to controls at both levels, with continuity of care in the SSMN being effective in users with stroke.