Factors predicting inpatient rehabilitation length of stay of acute stroke patients in Singapore.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the predictors of hospital length of stay (LOS) of stroke patients at the point of admission.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

An acute hospital rehabilitation center in Singapore.

PARTICIPANTS

Stroke patients (N=491) admitted between March 2005 and December 2006.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Rehabilitation LOS was calculated as the total number of rehabilitation days before discharge. We measured the functional status of patients by using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM).

RESULTS

The median LOS was 29 days (mean = 30.8d). Independent clinical and sociodemographic characteristics found to significantly predict rehabilitation LOS were FIM motor score at admission, the presence of more than 3 comorbid conditions at admission, living with nonimmediate relatives before admission, and the hospital subsidy status of the patient. In particular, the admission FIM motor score explained 43% of the variation in LOS and decreased the LOS by approximately 1.1 days for each 1-point increase in score.

CONCLUSION

Patients' socioeconomic status and family structure was found to influence LOS and should be considered in allocating resources and determining treatment need. The extent of motor function of patients at admission is an important factor influencing rehabilitation LOS and is a useful tool for facilitating rehabilitation resource planning for stroke patients.