Validation of the Berg Balance Scale as a predictor of length of stay and discharge destination in stroke rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
To validate the utility of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in predicting length of stay (LOS) and discharge destination for patients admitted to a stroke rehabilitation unit.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Provincial tertiary inpatient stroke unit for a primarily geriatric population.


METHODS
A total of 313 of the 325 patients admitted consecutively between April 1998 and August 2000.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
LOS and discharge destination.


RESULTS
Admission BBS scores correlated negatively with LOS (r=-.53, controlling for age). Logistic regression confirmed that the following were independent predictors of being discharged home rather than to an institution (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval): admission BBS (1.09, 1.06-1.12) and the presence of family supports (15.0, 7.2-31.3). These results generally concur with previously published results, obtained at a different stroke rehabilitation setting.


CONCLUSIONS
This study validates the use of the BBS scores in assisting to estimate approximate LOS and eventual discharge destination. Age did not correlate significantly with the outcomes measured in this study, which was conducted in a geriatric population.
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Queen's University, St Mary's of the Lake Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada. weej@post.queensu.ca
Joy Y
JY
Wee
Hubert
H
Wong
Anita
A
Palepu
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001955:British Columbia; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation