Article

Day rehabilitation (DR) is emerging in the United States as an
alternative postacute rehabilitation setting.
There have been no published
studies focused on the efficacy of DR for a postacute orthopedic population. This
study investigated the efficacy of DR as an alternative to inpatient skilled
nursing facility (SNF) status post total knee arthroplasty. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was conducted. Subjects were 50-75 yrs old, underwent
total knee arthroplasty in 2009, and were discharged from an SNF or DR affiliated
with a postacute healthcare system. The sample consisted of all DR (n = 56) and
randomly selected SNF (n = 45) subjects. RESULTS: Upon admission, there were no
differences between DR and SNF groups for age, sex, comorbidity score, pain
score, knee range of motion, ambulation distance, locomotion Functional
Independent Measure score, or body mass index. Upon discharge, there was no
difference in knee range of motion or pain between groups. Discharge ambulation
distance (P = 0.000) and locomotion Functional Independent Measure score (P =
0.001) were greater for the DR compared with the SNF group. Cost was lower (P =
0.000) and length of stay was shorter (P = 0.000) for the DR compared with the
SNF group. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects discharged from DR had similar or improved
outcomes compared with subjects discharged from SNF at a lower cost and shorter
stay. Results suggest that DR delivered significant cost savings when compared
with SNF without compromising patient outcomes.

Langue : ANGLAIS