Projecting function of stroke patients in rehabilitation using the AlphaFIM instrument in acute care.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To establish the reliability and validity of the AlphaFIM instrument; (2) To examine the hypotheses that the 6-item AlphaFIM instrument administered in acute care would closely approximate the full 18-item FIM instrument rating administered at admission to an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF); (3) to determine whether the acute AlphaFIM projected rating could predict the full FIM instrument ratings at discharge from the IRF; (4) to test whether the acute AlphaFIM projected rating could predict length of stay (LOS) in the IRF; (5) to determine if the acute AlphaFIM projected rating could predict the likelihood of patients being discharged from the IRF to the community.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study of 144 stroke patients in an acute care stroke unit with subsequent transfer to an IRF.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
IRF admission FIM rating, IRF discharge FIM ratings, LOS, and likelihood of discharge to community.


RESULTS
The AlphaFIM instrument displayed adequate reliability and validity. Results of a linear regression showed the acute AlphaFIM instrument ratings were significant in predicting IRF admission FIM instrument ratings, IRF discharge FIM instrument ratings, and IRF LOS. Results of a logistic regression indicated the ability of the acute AlphaFIM instrument ratings to predict the likelihood of patients being discharged from the IRF to the community was statistically significant but did not account for a great deal of the variance in the model.


CONCLUSIONS
The AlphaFIM instrument, used in acute care, has utility in projecting FIM instrument ratings of stroke patients' function at admission to and discharge from the IRF.
Stillman
Gary
G
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kaleida Health, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Williamsville, NY, USA.
Granger
Carl
C
Niewczyk
Paulette
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D055815:Young Adult