Applying the clinical practice improvement approach to stroke rehabilitation: methods used and baseline results.
Gassaway J, Horn SD, DeJong G, Smout RJ, Clark C, James R. Applying the clinical practice improvement approach to stroke rehabilitation: methods used and baseline results.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the methods used and baseline data for the Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes Project (PSROP).


METHODS
Prospective observational cohort study.


METHODS
Seven inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) in the United States and New Zealand.


METHODS
Consecutive convenience sample of 1291 poststroke rehabilitation patients, age older than 18, who were treated between 2001 and 2003 in 7 IRFs (1161 patients in 6 U.S. IRFs).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Change in FIM score, change in severity of illness, and discharge destination.


RESULTS
For the U.S. sample, the average age was 66 years, 52% were men, 60% were white, and 23% were black. Medicare was the most frequent payer. Seventy-seven percent of strokes were ischemic, with 43% in the left brain, 44% in the right brain, and 11% bilateral. Mean admission total FIM score was 61, with a mean motor FIM score of 40 and mean cognitive FIM score of 21. Lower FIM scores are associated with higher severity-of-illness scores. Mean rehabilitation length of stay was 18.6 days; 78% of patients were discharged home. At discharge, the average increase in total FIM score was 26, in motor FIM score was 22, and in cognitive FIM score was 4.


CONCLUSIONS
This article outlines methods used in the PSROP, provides an overview of participating IRFs, describes the database, and summarizes key characteristics to enable readers of subsequent articles to better interpret study findings and determine generalizability.
Gassaway
Julie
J
Institute for Clinical Outcomes Research, International Severity Information Systems Inc, Salt Lake City, UT 84102-1282, USA.
Horn
Susan D
SD
DeJong
Gerben
G
Smout
Randall J
RJ
Clark
Crystal
C
James
Roberta
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012107:Research Design; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000208:ethnology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation