Managing Palliative Patients in Inpatient Rehabilitation Through a Short Stay Family Training Program

Retrospective Analysis of a Quality Improvement Program.

To describe the development, implementation, and outcomes of an inpatient rehabilitation-based Short Stay Family Training (SSFT) program for patients with life-limiting conditions.

Patients with terminal illnesses often have functional limitations that prohibit discharge home after hospitalization, but their condition limits their ability to participate in rehabilitation in an inpatient setting.

After a needs assessment, an interdisciplinary team developed an SSFT program to empower patients, caregivers, and family members by giving them the tools to be independent in caring for a patient with a life-limiting condition. Patients qualifying for the program were tracked in terms of acute care physical therapy and occupational therapy discharge recommendations, diagnosis, inpatient rehabilitation unit length of stay (LoS), caregiver involvement, and discharge location. Data were retrospectively analyzed from patients over the first 16 months.

Since program implementation, 30 patients and their family members participated in the program. Overall, these patients experienced decreased LoS, increased discharge to home, and increased palliative care involvement in the plan of care.

Short Stay Family Training is a viable alternative to traditional inpatient rehabilitation to allow patients with life-limiting conditions to discharge home safely with caregiver support.