title: Assessing stroke patients for rehabilitation during the acute hospitalization: findings from the get with the guidelines-stroke program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the frequency and determinants of an assessment for rehabilitation during the hospitalization for acute stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort of patients admitted with acute stroke in the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) program from January 8, 2008, to March 31, 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acute hospitals (n=1532) in the United States participating in the GWTG-Stroke program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults with a stroke diagnosis (N=616,982) from a GWTG-Stroke-participating acute hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Documentation of an assessment for rehabilitation services during the acute hospitalization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, almost 90% of stroke patients had documentation of an acute assessment for rehabilitation. In multivariable analysis, patients significantly more likely to be assessed for rehabilitation were younger, male, black or of other nonwhite races (Asian, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander) when compared with white, independently ambulating before admission, and admitted from the community. Patients who received a stroke consult, cared for in a stroke unit, and treated in the northeast region of the United States were also more likely to be assessed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is evidence that rehabilitation was considered for 90% of acute stroke patients in this sample. Future research is needed to examine what assessments are conducted and by whom, and how these are used to determine the appropriate level of rehabilitation care for their needs.
authors.affiliation: Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC; Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. janet.bettger@duke.edu
authors.forename: Janet A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Prvu Bettger
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaltenbach
authors.forename: Mathew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: Eric E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Gregg C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fonarow
authors.forename: Lee H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Schwamm
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Peterson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004282:Documentation; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014481:United States