title: Development of a patient acuity model for an inpatient rehabilitation unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A patient classification tool for measuring acuity in acute in-patient rehabilitation patients was needed. A search of the literature failed to uncover an acuity measure specific for this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A new tool was designed based on the Functional Independence Measure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The tool was created and preliminary testing was done to establish usability and reliability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary testing revealed ease of use and moderately good reliability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The in-patient acuity measure is a straightforward tool that can be used to assist with staffing and budgeting. Preliminary testing showed good validity and reliability.
authors.affiliation: Ingalls Center for Rehabilitative Medicine, Ingalls Memorial Hospital, Harvey, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Incesti
authors.affiliation: Ingalls Center for Rehabilitative Medicine, Ingalls Memorial Hospital, Harvey, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Shelia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Linda R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Delunas
mesh_terms: D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000145:classification*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D062072:Patient Acuity; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States
keywords: Rehabilitation; instrument development; staffing