title: Outcome trends post discharge from inpatient rehabilitation to the community.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study provides evidence of the outcome trends following inpatient rehabilitation services.
  
  
  METHODS
  The methodology of this study design uses descriptive statistical analysis, paired t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine multiple variables. This quantitative, non-experimental study describes the research population and the data collection instrument, the inpatient rehabilitation facility patient assessment instrument (IRF PAI), including the Functional Independence Measure (FIM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Identified trends provide evidence that functional gains of the disabled population were maintained post discharge from an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Demographics, medical information, and discharge information were studied to describe relationships between the discharge information (discharge living setting, discharge with home health services, discharge to the person living with) and maintained functional performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This evidence provides essential information for healthcare providers, including nurses, policy makers, and governments regarding functional gains following inpatient rehabilitation, and community discharge trends of people receiving inpatient rehabilitation services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evidence in this study supports that inpatient rehabilitation services should be provided to all persons with disabilities to increase functioning to the greatest level of independence possible. Further evidence-based knowledge regarding the proposed 75% Rule of the Prospective Payment System (PPS) is needed and required, affecting the access and delivery of rehabilitation services. All patients have a right to quality, cost-effective care without restrictions to certain populations to encourage return to community dwelling.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing & Health Professions, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA.
authors.forename: Angela Stone
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000639:trends*; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*; D012111:Residence Characteristics
keywords: FIM (Functional Independence Measure); Rehabilitation; disability; evidence-based practice; functional outcomes; prospective payment system (PPS); rehabilitation nursing