Quality of rehabilitation care in two inpatient geriatric settings

The study assessed the quality of care in 410 geriatric patients admitted for rehabilitation following a hip fracture (53%) or stroke (47%) to two types of inpatient setting: geriatric departments in general hospitals (GDs) and free-standing geriatric hospitals (GHs), 45% and 55% of patients, respectively. The assessment of care was based on two outcome criteria, change in functional status (Barthel Index) and patient destination on discharge. Findings suggest that rehabilitation performed in GHs had some advantage over that in GDs although the cost of stay in GHs is half of that in GDs, and GHs seem to be also more cost-efficient. The finding indicates one way in which assessment of quality contributes to health policy and planning.