Inpatient rehabilitation following burn injury: patient demographics and functional outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To identify demographic characteristics of burn patients referred for inpatient rehabilitation, the benefits of rehabilitation in this population, and factors that influence functional outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Free-standing rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
Patients (N=129) admitted for inpatient rehabilitation after a burn injury.


METHODS
Comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation.


METHODS
Demographic data and the FIM instrument on admission and discharge for all patients.


RESULTS
Linear measures of functional status derived by Rasch analysis of the FIM showed significant improvements from admission to discharge for all patients. There was no correlation between total body surface area (TBSA), premorbid psychiatric alcohol or drug abuse history, and change between admission and discharge FIM score. There was a significant correlation between TBSA burn and age and between TBSA and length of stay.


CONCLUSIONS
Burn patients referred for inpatient rehabilitation are either older or have large TBSA burns. All patients made significant functional improvements and consequently inpatient rehabilitation can be considered an important component of care after a burn injury.
Sliwa
James A
JA
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Heinemann
Allen
A
Semik
Patrick
P
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002056:Burns / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology