Early unplanned transfers from inpatient rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
To identify characteristics of patients who transfer off inpatient rehabilitation to a surgical or medical unit before completion of their rehabilitation program.


METHODS
A retrospective 9-yr chart review of patients transferred off the rehabilitation unit at a regional level 1 trauma center due to medical complications.


RESULTS
Of 3072 patient admissions, 250 (8%) were transferred to an acute medical or surgical unit, and 55 (22%) of those transfers were within 3 days. Of the 250 patients, 33% had traumatic brain injury, 23% had spinal cord injury, 24% had stroke, 2% had amputations, 18% were in other diagnostic groups, and 23% were >64 yrs of age. When patients transferred early, only 47% were ultimately discharged to home, compared with approximately 72% of all discharges. The most common reasons for early transfer in these patients were infection (22%) and pulmonary complications (14%). Risk factors for early discharge included age of >64 yrs, spinal cord injury, or amputation.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation unit who have spinal cord injuries, amputations, or are >64 yrs old may have more medical/surgical complications. More detailed study of this patient population may help reduce the number of early transfers off the inpatient rehabilitation unit.
Carney
Maureen L
ML
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104, USA.
Ullrich
Philip
P
Esselman
Peter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014861:Washington