Evidence of Improved Efficiency in Functional Gains During Subacute Inpatient Rehabilitation

ABSTRACT: This comparative study investigated differences in functional capacity and functional gains of patients admitted for hospital rehabilitation between 2005 and 2011. Patients were grouped according to broad diagnostic categories: neurological, orthopedic, and deconditioned. Functional capacity (Functional Independence Measure (FIM), gait speed) and functional gains were compared between two 1-year patient cohorts (2005 and 2011) for diagnostic groups. In 2011, more patients were admitted (n = 626 vs. n = 474) with a shorter length of stay (mean difference 9.72 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.26 to 14.18) compared to 2005. Functional capacity of patients at admission was worse in 2011 for all measures (P 0.497) except for discharge gait speed; in 2011, patients walked faster (mean difference 0.58 m/s, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.11). Higher FIM gain and FIM efficiency was demonstrated in 2011, but differences between diagnostic groups were evident. Deconditioned patients overall demonstrated less gain and efficiency (F > 3.623, P

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