title: Identification of factors associated with a need for rehabilitation for patients over 65 years following admission to a general and vascular surgical service.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify factors that predict admission to a rehabilitation hospital for patients over 65 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study reviewed the destinations of all patients over 65 years admitted to a Department of General and Vascular Surgery over 1 year to analyse factors associated with subsequent admission to a rehabilitation hospital. Data recorded included demographic characteristics, type of admission, length of stay at the primary hospital, operation, speciality type, previous admission to rehabilitation hospital, diagnoses and procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 2632 patients examined, 8.7% were subsequently admitted to a rehabilitation hospital. Multivariate analysis showed that previous admission to the rehabilitation hospital, increasing age, number of diagnoses and admission under vascular service were all independently associated with admission for rehabilitation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Factors associated with increased risk of requiring transfer to a rehabilitation hospital can be identified. This allows early recognition of at-risk patients.
authors.affiliation: RMO Unit, Wellington Hospital, Wellington South, New Zealand. duncan.smyth@ccdhb.org.nz
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.forename: Saxon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connor
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013502:General Surgery; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010343:Patient Admission; D010360:Patient Transfer; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation*