Article

The study objectives were to (1) advance understanding of the relationship
between provision of assistive technology devices (ATDs) and healthcare
consumption and outcomes in a system that does not limit provision of ATDs to
in-home use and (2) determine how the provision of ATDs relates to
inpatient/outpatient utilization and costs of services for veterans 12 months
poststroke when controlling for case-mix. This was a retrospective study using
Department of Veterans Affairs administrative/workload databases to identify
12,046 veterans with stroke during fiscal years 2001 and 2002. Measures were
functional gain, inpatient days, outpatient visits, and inpatient and outpatient
costs during the first year poststroke. Motor gain for veterans receiving ATDs
was higher than for veterans not receiving ATDs (20 vs 9 Functional Independence
Measure points, p < 0.001). Provision of a low-end manual wheelchair was
associated with increased inpatient days and costs (both p < 0.001). Provision of
a power wheelchair was associated with increased inpatient (p = 0.03) and
outpatient costs (p < 0.001). Provision of a scooter was associated with
increased outpatient visits and outpatient costs (both p < 0.001). Scooters,
walking aids, and power wheelchairs were associated with increased outpatient
visits, perhaps functioning as outpatient/community enablers.

Langue : ANGLAIS