Satisfaction with medical rehabilitation in patients with orthopedic impairment

OBJECTIVE: To examine patient satisfaction after orthopedic impairment at 80 to 180 days after inpatient rehabilitation. DESIGN: Retrospective design examining records from facilities subscribing to the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSmr). SETTING: Information submitted to UDSmr from 1997 to 1998 by 177 hospital and rehabilitation facilities from 40 states. PARTICIPANTS: The sample (N=7781) was 72.63% female and 88.60% non-Hispanic white, with a mean age +/- standard deviation of 73.07+/-11.81 years, and average length of stay (LOS) of 13.84+/-10.48 days. INTERVENTION: Usual rehabilitation care.Main outcome measures Level of satisfaction 80 to 180 days after discharge as well as motor, cognitive, and subscale ratings for the FIM trade mark instrument. Predictor variables included gender, age, English language, marital status, discharge setting, LOS, rehospitalization, FIM gain, and primary payer. RESULTS: A logistic regression model was used to predict patient satisfaction at follow-up. Five statistically significant (P<.05) variables were found and correctly classified 94.9% of the patients. Discharge motor FIM rating, rehospitalization, age, patient's primary language, and discharge setting were associated with increased satisfaction. Discharge motor FIM ratings were significantly associated with increased satisfaction in patients with joint replacements and lower-extremity fractures. CONCLUSION: unctional and demographic variables were identified as predictors of satisfaction in patients with orthopedic impairments.     

Rehabilitation outcome of elderly patients after a first stroke: effect of cognitive status at admission on the functional outcome

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether, and to what extent, cognitive outcome relates to overall functional outcome among elderly stroke patients. DESIGN: Nonconcurrent prospective study. SETTING: Geriatric rehabilitation division at a large, urban, academic, freestanding hospital in Israel. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred thirty-six patients aged 60 years and older admitted consecutively for rehabilitation after first acute stroke. Inclusion criteria were met by 315 patients, who were included in the final analysis. Average age was 75.3 years. The stroke was right sided in 44.1%. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The motor subscale of the FIM instrument assessed functional status. Absolute functional gain was determined by the FIM motor gain. Relative functional gain was calculated according to the Montebello Rehabilitation Factor Score. Cognitive status was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the FIM cognitive subscale. RESULTS: FIM scores increased significantly during rehabilitation, mainly due to improvement in motor functioning. A strong association was found between the cognitive scales (r=.853, P<.001). Better rehabilitation outcomes were observed in patients with higher admission cognitive status, adjusting for the effect of age, sex, onset to admission interval, length of stay, and severity of stroke (odds ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-2.5). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired cognitive status at admission negatively affects the rehabilitation outcome of elderly stroke patients. The utility of routinely using a cognitive test for all patients before admission to rehabilitation, preferably the MMSE, is emphasized. The time, cost, and effort involved in performing such a test are negligible, and the potential benefits are considerable.     

Course of functional improvement after stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine functional improvement patterns of persons with stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Statistical analysis of data from a multisite study evaluating rehabilitation outcomes. SETTING: Eight inpatient rehabilitation facilities. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 314 consecutive admissions of persons with stroke, SCI, and TBI who received acute medical rehabilitation between 1994 and 1998. INTERVENTION: Calibration of motor and cognitive items from the FIM instrument, grouping of cases by number of weeks of rehabilitation (length of stay [LOS] groups), and plotting of weekly averages across time. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weekly motor and cognitive functional status. RESULTS: With the exception of cognitive functioning for persons with SCI, LOS was related to initial functional status, with patients with greater disability having longer LOS (eg, initial motor status for persons with stroke was 48.3 for those with a 2-week stay, 36.8 for a 6-week stay, with the averages between decreasing monotonically). With the exception of cognitive gains for person with TBIs, the amount of functional gain during rehabilitation was essentially the same for all LOS groups (eg, the overall average total motor gain for persons with SCI is 22.3, with no patterns of increase or decrease across LOS groups); however, the rate of improvement in motor (but not cognitive) functioning differed across LOS groups, with patients with shorter stays having the greater rates of improvement (eg, the overall average weekly motor gain for persons with SCI was 3.6, with the averages by LOS group monotonically decreasing from 6.4 for those with 4-week stays to 2.7 for those with 9-week stays). CONCLUSIONS: When examined separately for persons grouped by LOS, functional status improved linearly during the rehabilitation stay, with differences in rate of improvement depending on initial functional status.     

Mini-Mental State Examination, cognitive FIM instrument, and the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment: relation to functional outcome of stroke patients

OBJECTIVES: To compare 3 cognitive tests, used on admission, for predicting discharge functional outcome and to assess the efficacy of these tests in predicting functional outcome at discharge in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Geriatric rehabilitation department of a tertiary care hospital in Israel. PATIENTS: Sixty-six patients undergoing acute inpatient comprehensive rehabilitation after first clinical stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive status was assessed with the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the cognitive subscale of the FIM instrument. The FIM motor subscale was used to assess functional outcome status. Functional gain was determined by the motor FIM gain (efficacy), and the relative (to potential) functional gain was determined by the Montebello Rehabilitation Factor Score. Efficiency was calculated by efficacy divided by the length of hospital stay. RESULTS: A significant increase in total FIM scores (34.8 points) occurred during rehabilitation mainly because of improvement in motor functioning (31.5 points). Significant improvement in global cognitive status was documented by all 3 tests. Intertest correlation coefficients ranged between.47 and.67. The LOTCA showed somewhat higher correlation coefficients with most of the parameters of functional motor outcomes. Correlation between the MMSE and FIM cognitive subscale and these outcome parameters were nearly identical. CONCLUSION: The LOTCA is slightly better than the MMSE and the FIM cognitive subscale in predicting functional status change after stroke rehabilitation but it is a time-consuming and exhausting instrument to use. The FIM cognitive subscale requires a better overall understanding of the patient's situation at time of administration and therefore is less convenient for the initial assessment. The similar correlation of all 3 tests with functional outcomes and the simplicity of administration of the MMSE suggests its use in the initial assessment of stroke patients.     

The effect of Medicare's Prospective Payment System on patient satisfaction: an illustration with four rehabilitation hospitals

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of Medicare's Prospective Payment System (PPS) on patient satisfaction at four inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. DESIGN: Prospective study using a satisfaction survey to examine the effects of Medicare's PPS for rehabilitation hospitals. Surveys were conducted at four affiliated rehabilitation hospitals in the Midwest. RESULTS: Patient characteristics varied only slightly pre- to post-PPS, and several characteristics were related to overall satisfaction, including motor functional gain, discharge to home, and respondent (patient or proxy). A 12-point increase on a 12-item motor function scale resulted in 1.13 greater odds (95% CI: 1.04, 1.24) of reporting excellent satisfaction. Patient respondents were 1.27 times more likely (95% CI: 1.07, 1.50) than proxies to report excellent satisfaction, and patients discharged home were 1.65 times more likely (95% CI: 1.31, 2.07) to report excellent satisfaction than patients discharged elsewhere. We found an increase in observed satisfaction from 60.3 to 63.4% (P < 0.05) after PPS implementation, despite a decrease in motor FIM gain. CONCLUSIONS: Patient characteristics such as motor FIM gain, discharge status, and respondent type were significantly associated, although only slightly, with patient satisfaction in inpatient rehabilitation. Percentage of excellent satisfaction improved at these four facilities after PPS implementation, despite declines in motor FIM gain. The improvement may be the result of numerous ongoing quality-improvement initiatives directed at improving patient satisfaction at these facilities.     

Comparing stroke rehabilitation outcomes between acute inpatient and nonintense home settings

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes in stroke survivors who received rehabilitation services in an acute inpatient rehabilitation setting (multidisciplinary rehabilitation team) with outcomes in survivors in a home-based setting (family caregivers, limited team supervision). DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial, with mean follow-up after 60 days. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation setting and home-based settings. PATIENTS: Sixty patients (age range, 43-80yr) who had a stroke between 1996 and 1999 and had been referred after medical stabilization, randomly divided into 2 groups: group 1, inpatient rehabilitation; group 2, home-based rehabilitation. INTERVENTIONS: Group 1: therapeutical and neuromuscular exercises with occupational therapy with professional supervision; group 2: conventional exercises with family caregiver and limited professional supervision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spasticity was evaluated with the Ashworth Scale, motor status with Brunnstrom's stages, functional status with the FIM instrument, and cognitive status with the Mini-Mental State Examination before and after rehabilitation. RESULTS: Patients rehabilitated in acute inpatient settings had better motor, functional, and cognitive outcomes (p < .05). Spasticity changes did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Intense inpatient rehabilitation services for stroke survivors provide significantly more favorable functional and cognitive outcomes with relatively low complications than did nonintense rehabilitation efforts in home settings.     

脑卒中患者功能恢复的影响因素

目的 :探讨入院时的运动功能、认知功能、年龄、从发病到康复机构的时间、性别、有无合并症及瘫痪侧别对脑卒中患者功能恢复的影响。方法 :5 5例脑卒中患者接受综合康复治疗 ,采用功能独立性评测 (FIM)评定患者的功能状况 ,在入院 7d及出院 3d内对患者进行初期和末期评定 ,治疗过程中每隔 1个月评定 1次。应用多元逐步回归分析上述因素与功能恢复之间的关系。结果 :入院时的运动功能对功能恢复的贡献最大 ,呈正相关 (P <0 .0 0 1)。入院时的认知功能、年龄、从发病到康复机构的时间与功能恢复呈负相关 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;合并症、瘫痪侧别和性别 3种因素与功能恢复无相关性 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论 :入院时的运动功能、认知功能、年龄、从发病到康复机构的时间与功能恢复高度相关 ,在制定康复治疗方案时 ,应考虑这些因素的影响     

Cognitive status at admission: does it affect the rehabilitation outcome of elderly patients with hip fracture?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of cognitive status at admission on functional gain during rehabilitation of elderly hip-fractured patients. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: A hospital geriatric rehabilitation department. PATIENTS: Two hundred twenty-four elderly patients admitted consecutively for rehabilitation after surgery for hip fracture. MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive status was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination and the cognitive subscale of the Functional Independence Measure (cognFIM); functional status was assessed by the motor subscale of FIM; absolute functional gain was determined by the motor FIM gain (deltamotFIM); and relative functional gain (based on the potential for improvement) by the Montebello rehabilitation factor score (MRFS). RESULTS: A significant increase in FIM scores (19.7) occurred during rehabilitation, mainly due to motor functioning (19.1). When the relative functional gain (as measured by both motor MRFS efficacy [r = .591] and efficiency [r = .376] was compared with the absolute gain (as measured by deltamotFIM [r = .304]), a stronger association between cognFIM and the relative measures was found. In addition, motor FIM efficacy and efficiency were significantly lower in the cognitively impaired patients (p<.01). A better rehabilitation outcome was seen in patients with higher admission cognitive status, adjusting for the effects of age, sex, length of stay, and type of fracture (odds ratio = 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.5-3.7). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired cognitive status at admission lowered the rehabilitation outcome of elderly hip fracture patients. Cognitive impairment was strongly and directly associated with functional gain in these patients. Absolute motor gain appeared to be independent of cognitive status, whereas the relative motor gain depended on it. These findings support the implementation of comprehensive rehabilitation for selected cognitively impaired elderly hip fracture patients.     

Satisfaction with medical rehabilitation in patients with cerebrovascular impairment

OBJECTIVE: Overall satisfaction has important social and economic implications for patients who have received inpatient medical rehabilitation. We conducted this study to examine the overall satisfaction level at 3- to 6-mo follow-up for inpatients with cerebrovascular impairments discharged from medical rehabilitation. DESIGN: The study was retrospective using information from a national database representative of medical rehabilitation patients across the United States. Information submitted in 1997 and 1998 to the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation by 177 hospital and rehabilitation facilities from 40 states was examined. The final sample included 8,900 patient records. The main outcome measure was the level of satisfaction with medical rehabilitation at 80-180 days postdischarge follow-up. RESULTS: A logistic regression model including ten independent variables was used to predict satisfied vs. dissatisfied at follow-up. Three statistically significant variables were included in the final model and correctly classified 95.1% of the patients. Higher FIM instrument discharge scores were associated with increased satisfaction. Further analysis of the FIM instrument subscales indicated that higher ratings in transfers, social cognition, and locomotion were significantly associated with increased satisfaction. CONCLUSION: We identified several functional variables associated with increased satisfaction after medical rehabilitation in persons with stroke. The ability to objectively assess patient satisfaction is important as consumer-based outcome measures are integrated in accreditation and healthcare evaluation.     

Functional recovery in cancer rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of inpatient rehabilitation on the motor and cognitive functional status of cancer patients, and to determine whether cancer diagnosis, rehabilitation impairment, physician-determined rehabilitation goals, and active cytotoxic treatment affect the magnitude of functional improvement. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective, case series of patients with an oncology diagnosis undergoing inpatient rehabilitation at a rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 200 patients admitted for rehabilitation services due to disability resulting from impairments caused by cancer or its treatment. INTERVENTION: Comprehensive multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation. OUTCOME MEASURES: Function status was measured using the motor and cognitive measures of the Functional Independence Measure. RESULTS: All patients made significant gains in motor function regardless of diagnostic group, rehabilitation impairment group, rehabilitation goal group, and cytotoxic treatment status. The magnitude of motor function gain was not equivalent across all impairments and rehabilitation goals. Significant gains in cognitive function were made by all patients except those with intracranial neoplasms, central nervous system dysfunction, and palliative rehabilitation goals. CONCLUSION: Inpatient rehabilitation can improve both motor and cognitive function in patients with disability resulting from impairments caused by cancer or its treatment.     

Characteristics of effective and efficient rehabilitation programs

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of rehabilitation hospitals and units correlated with gains in motor and cognitive function, after adjusting for case severity of the patients admitted and for length of stay (LOS). DESIGN: The Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR) database was first analyzed to develop a method of adjusting for patient case severity on admission. Rehabilitation programs were surveyed to assess characteristics commonly thought to be associated with efficiency and effectiveness. Data on these characteristics were linked to UDSMR data on patient characteristics and functional gain. SETTING: Seventy-seven rehabilitation hospitals across the United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 37,692 inpatients from the participating rehabilitation hospitals. INTERVENTION: Comprehensive rehabilitation programs not altered by researcher. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Program effectiveness was estimated by gains in motor and cognitive subscale scores of the FIM trade mark instrument between admission and discharge, adjusted for indicators of caseload severity at admission. Efficiency was estimated by adjusting gains for LOS as well. RESULTS: Primary factors affecting both motor and cognitive gains included admission function (treated curvilinearly), age, certain diagnostic distinctions, onset-admission interval, admission class, and LOS. Correlations between staffing intensity and numerous other program characteristics with functional gain were meager, each accounting for less than 2% of variance. LOS was predicted by a number of factors, notably by the percentage of managed care cases (r=-.20), but not by staffing intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Relationships between rehabilitation practices and functional gains by patients do not appear to be simple or overt. Continued research is needed to identify reliable connections between rehabilitative processes and patient outcomes in practice.     

The association between patients' cognitive status and rehabilitation outcome in a geriatric day hospital

PURPOSE: To assess whether and to what extent cognitive status affects functional gain in mobility and extended activities of daily living (ADL) in patients admitted to a geriatric day hospital. METHODS: During 2003, 135 older patients admitted to a rehabilitation day hospital were evaluated by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Cognitive Functional Independence Measure (FIM). On admission and at discharge, they were assessed by the Nottingham Extended ADL Index (NEAI) and the Timed Get Up and Go test (TUG). RESULTS: Orthopedic and stroke patients achieved significant functional gain in mobility regardless of their cognitive status. Nevertheless, cognitively intact stroke patients achieved higher admission and discharge NEAI scores, manifesting greater absolute functional gain than cognitively impaired patients. The patients' ability to extract their rehabilitation potential was significantly better. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitively impaired patients can improve in mobility and performance of extended ADL during day hospital rehabilitation. Evaluation of the patients' cognitive status may enable the multidisciplinary team to develop suitable individual programs and better allocate resources. Cognitively intact stroke patients may benefit from extended rehabilitation treatment compared to impaired stroke patients as they are more capable of utilizing their potential to achieve independence in daily tasks.     

Barthel指数对脑卒中患者住院康复效果的预测

目的：探讨Barthel指数(BI)对脑卒中患者治疗前后功能状态改变的预测效果。方法：采用回顾性研究的方法．将脑卒中患者227例的临床资料进行分析。根据患者入院时BI积分，分为严重功能障碍组、重度功能障碍组、中度功能障碍组、轻度功能障碍组和功能良好组。应用BI评定患者康复治疗前和出院时的日常生活活动能力。结果：入院时中度功能障碍患者的平均BI增分和增分速率均明显高于其他各组。提示BI积分41～60的脑卒中患者可作为住院康复治疗的首选对象．并可初步预测患者经过康复治疗后可能获得良好康复效果。结论：中度功能障碍患者比重度及轻度功能障碍患者具有更高的功能获得。     

The influence of perceived pain on satisfaction with community participation after hospital discharge

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between pain and satisfaction with community participation for patients with stroke approximately 4 months after discharge from inpatient medical rehabilitation. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study from 2001 to 2002 using information from the IT HealthTrack database. SETTING: Community based. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 1673 patients with stroke aged 40 years or older discharged from inpatient medical rehabilitation. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary measures included pain ratings and satisfaction with community participation. RESULTS: The sample was 49.4% female and 81.1% non-Hispanic white. One third of the sample reported mild to severe pain. Pain ratings showed a significant and inverse association with satisfaction with community participation. The association remained significant with adjustment for possible confounding factors and with stratification by right and left body involvement. Each 1-level increase in pain rating score (range, 0-10) was associated with a 12% decreased odds ratio (OR=.88; 95% confidence interval, .84-.93) of being satisfied with community participation after adjustment for age, sex, marital status, ethnicity, and motor and cognitive functional status. CONCLUSIONS: In persons with stroke, high pain rating scores were significantly associated with lower satisfaction with community participation. Effective pain management may increase level of satisfaction with community participation in persons with stroke.     

Orthopedic impairment after medical rehabilitation: functional performance and satisfaction with community participation

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of satisfaction with community participation and to examine associations between change in functional status and satisfaction with community participation for persons with orthopedic impairments. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 3832 patients discharged from medical rehabilitation facilities in 2001 using information from the IT Health Track database. RESULTS: Primary measures were the FIM instrument and satisfaction with community participation. The majority of patients (86.9%) were satisfied (very or somewhat) with their level of community participation. Positive-change scores in FIM total from admission to the 80- to 180-day follow-up were associated with an 8% increased odds of being in a higher satisfaction with community participation level (odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.07, 1.09) after controlling for age, gender, marital status, race/ethnicity, insurance source, length of stay and functional status. Similarly, positive-change score in motor (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval: 1.08, 1.10) and cognition (odds ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.19, 1.32) FIM measures from admission to follow-up were associated with greater satisfaction with community participation. CONCLUSION: Gains in functional status were significantly associated with greater satisfaction with community participation. Satisfaction with community participation provides information useful to evaluate patient recovery after discharge from inpatient medical rehabilitation.     

'We're just sick people, nothing else': ... factors contributing to elderly stroke patients' satisfaction with rehabilitation

Objective: To identify factors contributing to elderly stroke patients' satisfaction with rehabilitation following stroke.Design: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.Setting: Interviews conducted in two phases, once in a stroke rehabilitation unit and once after hospital discharge.Subjects: Twelve elderly stroke patients (seven women and five men, aged 60-87 years).Results: One main category: 'To be treated with respect and dignity' was identified as a core factor contributing to patients' satisfaction with the rehabilitation services. This main factor was divided into five subcategories: (1) Being treated with humanity, (2) Being acknowledged as individuals, (3) Having their autonomy respected, (4) Having confidence and trust in professionals, (5) Dialogue and exchange of information. The statements covered a continuum from satisfaction via indifference to dissatisfaction. Expressions of satisfaction emerged mainly as general statements while expressions of dissatisfaction described situations in greater detail. Satisfaction was merely connected to daily care experiences and fulfilment of basic needs. Trust in providers and being dignified seemed more closely associated with satisfaction than being involved in treatment decisions. The findings demonstrate how the quality of patient-professional interaction influences patients' satisfaction with stroke rehabilitation.Conclusion: To be treated with respect and dignity seems to be a core element influencing vulnerable elderly stroke patients' satisfaction with rehabilitation. A merely functional definition of the success of rehabilitation should be expanded into an approach encompassing patients' perceptions and personal preferences. The meaning of dignity for elderly stroke patients in the rehabilitation setting should be further clarified and given practical substance.     

Factors affecting short-term rehabilitation outcomes of disabled elderly patients with proximal hip fracture

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with postacute rehabilitation outcome of disabled elderly patients with proximal hip fracture. SETTING: Geriatric rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirty-three older patients. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: FIM instrument, motor FIM score, absolute functional gain on the FIM and motor FIM scores, relative functional gain on the FIM and motor FIM scores, rate of improvement on the FIM and motor FIM scores, proportion of patients discharged to home, and length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: Mean FIM score improved by 14 points (22%) with a functional gain rate of .56 point per day. No significant differences (P>.05) were found between weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing patients regarding the above outcome measures. Functionally independent and cognitively intact patients achieved significantly better score changes and rates of improvement and showed a higher ability to extract their rehabilitation potential than dependent and cognitively impaired patients. Their LOSs were significantly shorter. Patients with latency time (time delay from fracture to operation) of more than 5 days and patients with a history of stroke had significantly longer LOSs. Mini-Mental State Examination score, albumin levels on admission, and prefracture functional status were the most important parameters associated with FIM discharge scores (r=.756) and relative functional gain on the FIM (r=.583). Depression was the most important factor associated with LOS in patients with weight-bearing instructions on admission. The presence of a caregiver was the significant predictive value variable for returning home. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive function, nutritional status, preinjury functional level, and depression were the most important prognostic factors associated with rehabilitation success of older patients with proximal hip fracture. Of these, depression and nutritional status are correctable, and early intervention may improve rehabilitation outcome.     

Medical rehabilitation length of stay and outcomes for persons with traumatic spinal cord injury--1990-1997

OBJECTIVES: To describe changes in acute and rehabilitation length of stay (LOS) for persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), describe predictors of LOS, and explore year-1 anniversary medical and social outcomes. DESIGN: Longitudinal, exploratory study of patients with SCI. SETTING: Eighteen Model Spinal Cord Injury Centers across the United States. SAMPLE: A total of 3,904 persons discharged from the Model Systems between 1990 and 1997 who had follow-up interviews at 1 year postinjury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rehabilitation LOS; injury anniversary year-1 presence of pressure ulcers; incidence of rehospitalization; community or institutional residence; and days per week out of residence. RESULTS: Acute rehabilitation LOS declined from 74 days to 60 days. Discharges to nursing homes and rehospitalizations increased between 1990 and 1997. Linear regression showed that lower admission motor Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, year of discharge from the Model System, method of bladder management, tetraplegia, race, education, marital status, discharge disposition, and age were related to longer LOS. At first anniversary, logistic regressions revealed that lower discharge motor FIM, injury level, and age were related to the presence of pressure ulcers, rehospitalization, residence, and time spent out of residence. Of those discharged to nursing homes, 44% returned to home by year 1, and these individuals had higher functional status and were younger. DISCUSSION: High functional status is associated with shorter LOS, discharge to the community, and time spent out of residence, indicating efficiency in the system. For 44.4% of individuals one or more of the following outcomes were observed by first year anniversary: rehospitalization; residing in a skilled nursing facility; having pressure ulcers; or infrequently leaving one's residence.     

Do Rehospitalization Rates Differ Among Injury Severity Levels in the NIDRR Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Program?

Objective

To compare the rate and nature of rehospitalization in a cohort of patients enrolled in the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) who have disorders of consciousness (DOC) at the time of rehabilitation admission with those in persons with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) but without DOC at rehabilitation admission.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Inpatient rehabilitation within TBIMS with annual follow-up.

Participants

Of 9028 persons enrolled from 1988 to 2009 (N=9028), 366 from 20 centers met criteria for DOC at rehabilitation admission and follow-up data, and another 5132 individuals met criteria for moderate (n=769) or severe TBI (n=4363).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Participants and/or their family members completed follow-up data collection including questions about frequency and nature of rehospitalizations at 1 year postinjury. For the subset of participants with DOC, additional follow-up was conducted at 2 and 5 years postinjury.

Results

The DOC group demonstrated an overall 2-fold increase in rehospitalization in the first year postinjury relative to those with moderate or severe TBI without DOC. Persons with DOC at rehabilitation admission have a higher rate of rehospitalization across several categories than persons with moderate or severe TBI.

Conclusions

Although the specific details of rehospitalization are unknown, greater injury severity resulting in DOC status on rehabilitation admission has long-term implications. Data highlight the need for a longitudinal approach to patient management.