The COMprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) Study (2015-2021) was a pragmatic, randomized trial to investigate post- acute stroke care models to improve patient functional outcomes and reducing hospital readmissions.

The COMPASS Study evaluated a patient-centered, community-based care model to improve secondary prevention, recovery and access to community resources for stroke survivors and caregivers. COMPASS encouraged and facilitate patient and caregiver self-management of care.

Map of North Carolina with counties in shades of blue corresponding to the population and with green dots indicating COMPASS Study hospitals

In 2015, we leveraged the successes of the NC Stroke Care Collaborative network of hospitals to expand quality improvement of stroke care to the post-acute care space. In the first phase of the study, participating hospitals from across the state of NC were randomized to provide the COMPASS intervention or continue providing their usual care. In Phase 2, the usual-care hospitals were invited to receive support and training to implement the COMPASS intervention, while the other hospitals continued to sustain the COMPASS intervention.