RIS ID

135377

Publication Details

D. McKechnie, J. Pryor, M. J. Fisher & T. Alexander, "A comparison of patients managed in specialist versus non-specialist inpatient rehabilitation units in Australia", Disability and Rehabilitation Online First (2019) 1-8.

Abstract

Aim: To compare the rehabilitation of patients with brain and spinal cord injury in specialist rehabilitation units and non-specialist rehabilitation units in Australia over a 10-year period.

Method: A retrospective cohort study design was used. Epidemiological descriptive analysis was used to examine inpatient rehabilitation data held in the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre Registry Database at four discrete time points: 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016. Data sets included patient demographics, length of stay and the Functional Independence Measure. Data sets were examined for differences between specialist and non-specialist rehabilitation units.

Results: Over the 10-year study period, compared to patients admitted to non-specialist rehabilitation units patients admitted to specialist rehabilitation units: (1) were younger and more likely to be male; (2) had a longer time between onset of illness/injury and rehabilitation admission; (3) had a longer median rehabilitation length of stay; (4) had a higher burden of care on admission to rehabilitation; however (5) had a greater functional gain. Patients in specialist rehabilitation units had a lower relative functional efficiency per day of rehabilitation, but higher percentage of Functional Independence Measure gain. In 2016, 66% of brain injury and 51% of spinal cord injury patients were not rehabilitated in specialist rehabilitation units.

Conclusion: There are differences in the characteristics of patients admitted to specialist versus non-specialist rehabilitation units. Patients admitted to specialist rehabilitation units have greater functional gain. A noteworthy proportion of brain and spinal cord injury patients are not being rehabilitated in specialist rehabilitation units, particularly patients with non-traumatic injuries.

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1568592