title: Predicting discharge outcomes for stroke patients in Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to describe discharge outcomes and explore their correlates for patients rehabilitated after stroke at an Australian hospital from 1993 to 1998.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on length of stay, discharge functional status, and discharge destination were retrospectively obtained from medical records. Patients' actual rehabilitation length of stay was compared with the Australian National Sub-Acute and Non-Acute Patient predicted length of stay. The change in length of stay over the 5-yr period from 1993 to 1998 was documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients' mean converted motor FIM scores improved from 53.1 at admission to 74.1 at discharge. Lower admission-converted motor FIM scores were related to longer length of stay, lower discharge-converted motor FIM scores, and the need for a change in living situation on discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study provide Australian data on discharge outcomes after stroke to assist in the planning and delivery of appropriate interventions to individual patients during rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Kryss
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tooth
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strong
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ottenbacher
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cleary
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome