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Length of stay and hospital readmission for persons with disabilities
K J Ottenbacher1, P M Smith, S B Illig
1University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-1028, USA. kottenba@utmb.edu
Objectives:
Length of stay (LOS) and hospital readmission for persons receiving medical rehabilitation were examined.
Methods:
A total of 96,473 patient records (1994-1998) were analyzed. Mean age of patients was 68.97 years; 61% were female and 83% were non-Hispanic White.
Results:
A decrease in LOS of 6.07 days (SD = 3.23) and increase in hospital readmission were found across all impairment groups (P < .001). Readmission increases ranged from 6.7% for amputations to 1.4% for orthopedic conditions. LOS was longer (2.1 days) for readmitted patients (P < .01). Age was not a significant predictor of rehospitalization.
Conclusions:
Understanding variables associated with rehospitalization is important as prospective payment systems are introduced for postacute care.