Rehospitalization and spinal cord injury: cross-sectional survey of adults living independently.

A cross-sectional survey of 96 people living independently with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in Eastern Massachusetts shows that 57% had been hospitalized at least once in the year before the survey. Sample means were 1.0 admissions and 16.0 days/person/year. Eight percent of the sample (eight persons) accounted for 22% of admissions and 59% of total hospital days. For those hospitalized, the mean was 1.7 admissions and 45.1 days/person/year. Mean length-of-stay was 34.7 days/admission. Multiple regression analysis shows that three variables appear to be independently related to increased numbers of admissions: self-assessment of health; place of residence; and age (younger respondents at higher risk). One variable is independently associated with total days of hospitalization: leaving home at least once daily (as opposed to less frequently) is associated with lower risk. There were no statistically significant relationships between either numbers of hospitalizations or total days hospitalized and ADL or IADL status, education, employment, medical insurance, household composition, gender, age at onset of disability, time since onset of disability, substance use (alcohol, cannabis, or tobacco), level of SCI lesion, or social supports.