[Estimating length of stay of geriatric rehabilitation patients]

The aim of the study was to identify the most influential predictors of length of stay (LOS) among data, which are usually available on admission in geriatric rehabilitation units, such as diagnosis, functional limitations, age, gender, or marital status. Datasets of 6740 consecutive patients of a geriatric rehabilitation clinic have been retained for the analysis. As the density distribution of the LOS was grouped in intervals of 0-4, 4-6, 6-8 and 8 weeks and more, separate multivariate logistic regression models have been tested for the four intervals of LOS as well as for each of the four intervals separately. Some functional limitations on admission are significantly associated with longer LOS: limitations in dressing are associated with LOS of 6-8 weeks (OR = 1.47; CI = 1.32-1.65), and limitations in using the toilet are associated with LOS of 8 weeks and more (OR = 3.50; CI = 2.98-4.10). Shorter LOS of 0 to 4 weeks are significantly predicted by being respectively married (OR = 1.52; CI = 1.37-1.68), 75 years old and alder (OR = 1.29; CI = 1.16-1.43) or having a femur fracture (OR = 1.45; CI = 1.22-1.73). Single ADL-limitations such as in using the toilet or in dressing have a high predictivity of the LOS. Married patients and older patients are discharged earlier. Social characteristics like those subsumated under age or marital status seem to play a more important role as expected in determining the LOS in geriatric rehabilitation patients.