Analysis of the relationship between the utilization of physical therapy services and outcomes for patients with acute stroke.
OBJECTIVE
Little research has been conducted on the outcomes of care for people who have had a stroke. In this study, the relationship between physical therapy utilization and outcomes of care for patients with acute stroke was examined.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 6,342 patients treated in US academic health center hospitals in 1996 who survived their inpatient stay and received physical therapy.


METHODS
The primary data source was the University HealthSystem Consortium Clinical Data Base. Physical therapy use was assessed by examining physical therapy charges. Outcomes of care were assessed in terms of the total cost of care (ie, whether the cost of care was more costly or less costly than expected, taking into account patient characteristics) and in terms of discharge destination (ie, whether the patient was discharged home or elsewhere). Regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between physical therapy use and outcomes.


RESULTS
Physical therapy use was directly related to a total cost of care that was less than expected and to an increased probability of discharge home.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study provide preliminary evidence to support the use of physical therapy in the acute care of patients with strokes and indicate the need for further study of this topic.
Freburger
J K
JK
Division of Physical Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7135, Medical School Wing E, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7135, USA. jfreburger@css.inc.edu
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020521:Stroke / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014481:United States