Article

PURPOSE: To describe the extended Rehabilitation Complexity Scale (RCS-E) and its
factor structure, and to determine whether it provides added value over the
RCS-version 2 to identify patients with highly complex rehabilitation needs.
METHOD: A cohort analysis of prospectively-collected routine clinical data from
331 patients with complex neurological disabilities undergoing inpatient
rehabilitation in a tertiary specialist neurorehabilitation unit in the UK. RCS-E
and RCS-v2 scores were recorded in parallel by the multi-disciplinary team (MDT)
at fortnightly intervals, alongside the Northwick Park nursing (NPDS) and therapy
(NPTDA) dependency scales, capturing nursing care and therapy interventions in
staff hours/week. RESULTS: Very strong correlations were found between total
RCS-v2 and RCS-E scores (rho = 0.954); the RCS-E "Care & nursing" subscale and
care/nursing hours/week (rho = 0.838, p < 0.001); and the RCS-E "Therapy"
subscale and total therapy hours/week (p = 0.697, p < 0.001). The RCS-E showed
better discrimination for complex therapy needs than the RCS-v2, but not for
complex care/nursing needs. The RCS-E factor structure was similar to the RCS-v2,
with moderate internal consistency overall, separating into two distinct
dimensions ("Nursing/medical care + Equipment" and "Therapy"). CONCLUSION: The
RCS-E provides an equivalent measure of complexity to the RCS-v2, but offers
added value in identifying patients with highly complex therapy and equipment
needs.

Langue : ANGLAIS