Factors influencing discharge location following high lesion spinal cord injury rehabilitation in British Columbia, Canada.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and describe factors that influence discharge location -- extended care unit (nursing home) or other (private home, group home, or acute care) -- following rehabilitation for individuals with a new high lesion spinal cord injury (SCI) (C1-C4) in British Columbia, Canada.

SETTING

GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

METHODS

Eligible clients were adults admitted to the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre Spinal Cord Program between 1994 and 2003, with a new C1-4 lesion (traumatic or nontraumatic), and an ASIA score of A-C at time of discharge. Medical charts of 52 individuals were reviewed and data regarding individual characteristics, health-related characteristics, personal context, hospitalization factors, health resources, and other contextual factors were extracted.

RESULTS

In total, 40% of clients were discharged to extended care units post rehabilitation. Seven variables were associated at a univariate level: age, employment at the time of injury, pre-existing medical conditions, social support, preinjury living situation, and insurance (worker's compensation or motor vehicle) or private funding for equipment. Four variables were associated at the multivariate level: age, preinjury living situation, and insurance or private funding for equipment.

CONCLUSION

A range of individual, health-related, family and social policy variables influence discharge location following rehabilitation for high lesion SCI in British Columbia. The unique combination of variables presented by each individual should be considered by the rehabilitation team in the discharge planning process.