Article

UK Rehabilitation outcomes collaborative - A key challenge for providers and commissioners of rehabilitation
services is to find optimal balance between service costs and outcomes. This
article presents a "real-life" application of the UK Rehabilitation Outcomes
Collaborative (UKROC) dataset. We undertook a comparative cohort analysis of
case-episode data (n = 173) from two specialist neurological rehabilitation units
(A and B), to compare the cost-efficiency of two service models. KEY MESSAGES:
(i) Demographics, casemix and levels of functional dependency on admission and
discharge were broadly similar for the two units. (ii) The mean length of stay
for Unit A was 1.5 times longer than Unit B, which had 85% higher levels of
therapy staffing in relation to occupied bed days so despite higher bed-day
costs, Unit B was 20% more cost-efficient overall, for similar gain. (iii)
Following analysis, engagement with service commissioners led to successful
negotiation of a business plan for service reconfiguration with increased
staffing levels for Unit A and further development of local community
rehabilitation services. CONCLUSION: (i) Lower front-end service costs do not
always signify optimal cost-efficiency. (ii) Analysis of routinely collected
clinical data can be used to engage commissioners and to make the case for
resources to maximise efficiency and improve patient care.

Langue : ANGLAIS