title: Time to rehabilitation admission and associated outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the association between time from injury to rehabilitation admission and outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility with a 20-bed brain injury unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with TBIs discharged from initial inpatient rehabilitation between 2003 and 2004 (N=158).
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcomes examined were functional independence at discharge (motor, cognitive, total FIM scores), rehabilitation length of stay (LOS), and rehabilitation cost.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant linear trends were observed for time to admission and motor FIM scores, total FIM scores, rehabilitation LOS, and cost. All linear regression models contained time to admission as a significant predictor of rehabilitation outcomes. Over half of the variability in outcomes was explained by predictors including time to admission and case-mix group or individual FIM scores with the exception of discharge motor FIM score, for which only 45% of the variability was explained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who progress to rehabilitation earlier do better functionally and have lower costs and shorter LOSs. Furthermore, the time to rehabilitation admission is easily calculated and could be used by rehabilitation providers in adjunct with admission FIM scores to estimate resource utilization.
authors.affiliation: Crawford Research Institute, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, USA.
authors.forename: Cherie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Kunik
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Flowers
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kazanjian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors