Do Falls Experienced During Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Affect Length of Stay, Functional Status, and Discharge Destination?

Abstract

To compare length of stay, functional status, and discharge destination between individuals who fell during inpatient stroke rehabilitation and those who did not fall. Retrospective cohort study. Rehabilitation hospital. Individuals who fell during inpatient stroke rehabilitation (n=106; fallers group; mean age, 67.8±12.9y; mean time poststroke, 26.4±28.3d) were matched to individuals who did not fall (n=106; nonfallers group; mean age, 67.3±13.6y; mean time poststroke, 21.9±28.8d) on age and functional status (N=212). Not applicable. Total length of stay, FIM assessed at discharge, and discharge destination. The mean length of stay for fallers was 11 days longer than nonfallers (P=.0017). Nonfallers and fallers did not differ on discharge total FIM scores (P=.19), and both groups were discharged home after inpatient rehabilitation (nonfallers: 77%; fallers: 74%; P=.52). This study suggests that falls experienced during inpatient stroke rehabilitation may have contributed to a longer length of stay; however, falls did not affect discharge functional status or discharge destination.