Evaluation of rehabilitation outcomes in older patients with hip fractures

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated functional outcomes in patients with hip fracture after inpatient rehabilitation. DESIGN: The physical and cognitive functioning of 100 patients with hip fracture were determined by using the FIM instrument. The Montebello rehabilitation factor score was used to reflect rehabilitative outcome. Follow-up data were collected from 44 patients by using a telephone FIM interview. RESULTS: Discharge total FIM scores improved. The Montebello rehabilitation factor score for rehabilitation efficacy and efficiency scores both demonstrated improvement for patient function during inpatient rehabilitation. The mean motor FIM domain scores for transfer mobility and locomotion were lower at discharge compared with the domains of self-care and sphincter control. A subgroup of 44 patients showed no change in mean motor FIM domain scores. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient rehabilitation improves overall functional independence as measured by the FIM instrument. Relative change, as measured by the Montebello rehabilitation factor score, indicated that rehabilitation outcome for locomotion was not maximized, despite exhibiting large absolute gains during inpatient rehabilitation. The improvements demonstrated at discharge were maintained at follow-up for a subgroup of 44 patients. Improved locomotion skills and maximizing ability to transfer independently are areas in which inpatient rehabilitation may be targeted to improve function in the future.