Discharge destination and motor function outcome in severe stroke as measured by the functional independence measure/function-related group classification system.
OBJECTIVE
Function-related groups based on the Functional Independence Measure have been proposed as a model for a prospective payment system for medical rehabilitation. This study describes discharge destination and motor function outcomes in a sample of patients with stroke from the FIM-FRG STR1 classification.


METHODS
A retrospective review of 293 cases of stroke from the years 1993 to 1995. The demographic and outcome characteristics of this sample were described.


CONCLUSIONS
Forty-five percent of the patients were discharged to home after a mean length of stay of 23.8 days in acute medical rehabilitation. Patients who were discharged home had higher admission and discharge motor FIM scores than those discharged to a subacute facility or long-term care facility, although the correlation between motor FIM score and discharge destination was low to moderate. Median discharge motor FIM scores indicate considerable residual disability in this classification after rehabilitation. Research problems that address methods to improve the usefulness of the FIM-FRG system in a prospective payment system are discussed.
Sandstrom
R
R
Alegent Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
Mokler
P J
PJ
Hoppe
K M
KM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D009043:Motor Activity; D009048:Motor Skills; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011445:Prospective Payment System / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019467:Subacute Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome