Objective
To identify causes for readmission to acute care (RTAC) of patients admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) after stroke.
Design
The institutional Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation database was used to identify stroke patients who experienced RTAC and an equal number of age/sex-matched group of patients who successfully completed their IRF stay during 2005-2018. Retrospective chart review was used to extract clinical data. The two study groups were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results
The rate of RTAC was 4.7% (n = 89; age 65 ± 14 years; 37% female; 65% white; 73% ischemic stroke). The most common indications for transfer were neurological (31%) and cardiovascular (28%). Compared to control group, the RTAC group had statistically higher rates of comorbid conditions, lower median (interquartile range) Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score on IRF admission [55 (37-65) vs. 64 (51-78); p < 0.001)], and a higher rate of sedative/hypnotic prescription (82% vs. 23%; p < 0.001).
Conclusion
RTAC is not common in our cohort. Patients who experienced RTAC had higher medical complexity and were prescribed more sedative/hypnotic medications than the control group. Practitioners should be vigilant in patients who meet these criteria.