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Appointments + referrals tracker (post-stroke): keep the plan straight

Stroke follow-up can involve neurology, primary care, cardiology, rehabilitation, speech therapy, labs, imaging, social work, and community services. This lesson teaches a simple tracker that prevents missed handoffs and turns vague referrals into scheduled next steps.

Cross-cuttingCaregiver, SurvivorIntro18 minGrade 7

Educational only

Educational only — not medical advice.

Get help now

If you think someone is having a stroke, call your local emergency number now. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve.

Key takeaways

  • Map the post-stroke care team and each person's role
  • Track appointments, referrals, tests, and pending actions in one system
  • Escalate stalled referrals or unclear next steps with specific questions

Why this matters

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Name the team and the open loops

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Build a tracker that answers six questions

  • What is the task: appointment, referral, test, equipment, form, or call?
  • Who ordered it and who receives it?
  • Why is it needed?
  • What is the status: requested, sent, scheduled, completed, results pending, or action needed?
  • What is the next date or deadline?
  • Who will follow up if it stalls?

Prepare for each appointment

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Escalate without sounding vague

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In practice

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Common misconceptions

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Key takeaways

  • Track open loops, not just appointment dates.
  • Every referral needs an owner, purpose, status, next date, and backup follow-up plan.
  • Update the tracker immediately after visits while details are fresh.
  • Escalate stalled care with names, dates, referral purpose, and the specific question you need answered.

Practice check

What you’ll practice

These questions are untimed. After you answer all of them, you’ll see your score and a clear next lesson or reference step.

0 of 4 answered

Question 1

1. Match each tracker field to the question it answers.

Question 2

2. A therapy referral was mentioned at discharge, but no one has called after ten days. Which call is most actionable?

Question 3

3. Which items are open loops worth tracking? Select all that apply.

Question 4

4. Why should the tracker include each clinician's role?

References

  1. Tier 1American Stroke Association2024
    For Family Caregivers
  2. Tier 1Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality2026
    Questions Are the Answer
  3. Tier 1Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality2024
    Use the Teach-Back Method