Orlando Health has established the Support Team for Aftercare and Resources Outpatient Centers, designed to offer health and wellness services for patients after they are discharged from a hospital and to assist with complex pharmacy needs.
Patients without a primary care provider or who cannot book a follow-up appointment within seven days of discharge can be referred to the center at Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, open now, or the center on the Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center campus, set to open in Fall 2023.
The centers extend support beyond the walls of the hospital, providing a holistic, team-based model of care through both traditional care delivery and important non-clinical resources, such as social support services to connect patients to community benefit organizations.
Services at the centers will include post-discharge exams, medication management, care coordination services and disease prevention education. Both locations will be staffed with advanced practice practitioners, registered nurses, care coordinators, pharmacists and skilled support team members.
“Timely follow-up visits are an important bridge between hospital care and continued care post-discharge. The centers will help facilitate these crucial appointments, which enable patients to address lingering concerns and reduce the chance of readmission,” said Ashley Dlugokienski, MD, medical director, Orlando Health Support Team for Aftercare and Resources Outpatient Centers. “A hospital stay by nature can be overwhelming for patients. These visits allow time to educate patients on what occurred during the hospitalization, ensure they have all necessary medications and supplies post-discharge, and assist with navigating next steps in their care.”
The centers are designed to support the necessary stepdown care for patients leaving the hospital, but are not intended to replace primary care, which requires a long-term relationship with a patient. Patients will always be redirected to their aligned provider after a visit at one of the centers. If a patient does not have an established provider, they will be connected to providers which participate in Orlando Health’s clinically integrated network, known as Orlando Health Network.
“Bridging the gap to a patient’s primary care physician has always been important to me,” Dlugokienski said, “and I’m excited to be part of creating solutions that make it easier for patients to remain well and out of the hospital.”
Orlando Health Support Team for Aftercare and Resources
Outpatient Center –
Orlando Health
Dr. P. Phillips Hospital
Aftercare Services Address: 9430 Turkey Lake Road, Suite 200A, Orlando, FL 32819
Medication Management Address: 9430 Turkey Lake Road, Suite 200B, Orlando, FL 32819
Orlando Health Support Team for Aftercare and Resources
Outpatient Center –
Orlando Health
Orlando Regional Medical Center
Aftercare Services Address: 1224 Sligh Boulevard, Suite A, Orlando, FL 32806
Medication Management Address: 1224 Sligh Boulevard, Suite B, Orlando, FL 32806
