Article

This study examined factors associated with living setting of patients
with acquired brain injury at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. DESIGN:
Retrospective cohort design. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS:
Cohort of patients first
identified in acute care with a diagnostic code of traumatic or non-traumatic
brain injury who also subsequently received inpatient rehabilitation in Ontario,
Canada for fiscal years 2003/2004 to 2005/2006. METHODS: Using logistic
regression, we examined predisposing, need and enabling factors associated with
living settings at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation (home/other versus
residential care). Acute care and inpatient rehabilitation data were used.
RESULTS: The majority of patients (83%) were discharged home after inpatient
rehabilitation. Among ABI patients, those with longer lengths of stay and
patients living alone and in non-home settings at admission were significantly
more likely to be living in a residential care setting at discharge. Conversely,
patients with higher total function scores from the FIMTM Instrument and those
receiving informal support at discharge were significantly less likely to be
living in a residential care setting at discharge.
CONCLUSION: Our findings
suggest that informal support influences service utilization and provide evidence
for its importance at discharge with respect to living in the community. Prior
living arrangement and functional outcome at discharge significantly predicted
discharge destination. Improving physical function and providing needed supports
at discharge may be factors important to reduce the demand for residential care
facilities.

Langue : ANGLAIS