Article

In Canada, no standardized benchmarks for length of stay (LOS) have been
established for post-stroke inpatient rehabilitation. This paper describes the
development of a severity specific median length of stay benchmarking strategy,
assessment of its impact after one year of implementation in a Canadian
rehabilitation hospital, and establishment of updated benchmarks that may be
useful for comparison with other facilities across Canada. METHOD: Patient data
were retrospectively assessed for all patients admitted to a single post-acute
stroke rehabilitation unit in Ontario, Canada between April 2005 and March 2008.
Rehabilitation Patient Groups (RPGs) were used to establish stratified median
length of stay benchmarks for each group that were incorporated into team rounds
beginning in October 2009. Benchmark impact was assessed using mean LOS, FIM((R))
gain, and discharge destination for each RPG group, collected prospectively for
one year, compared against similar information from the previous calendar year.
Benchmarks were then adjusted accordingly for future use. RESULTS: Between
October 2009 and September 2010, a significant reduction in average LOS was noted
compared to the previous year (35.3 vs. 41.2 days; p < 0.05). Reductions in LOS
were noted in each RPG group including statistically significant reductions in 4
of the 7 groups. As intended, reductions in LOS were achieved with no significant
reduction in mean FIM((R)) gain or proportion of patients discharged home
compared to the previous year. Adjusted benchmarks for LOS ranged from 13 to 48
days depending on the RPG group. CONCLUSIONS: After a single year of
implementation, severity specific benchmarks helped the rehabilitation team
reduce LOS while maintaining the same levels of functional gain and achieving the
same rate of discharge to the community.
CI - (c) 2012 Informa UK, Ltd.

Langue : ANGLAIS