Abstract TP148: Characteristics and Estimated Rehabilitation Costs for Stroke Survivors Treated in a Community-Based Interdisciplinary Outpatient Rehabilitation Program Who Return to Work

Abstract

Background: Return to work is a motivating goal for many stroke survivors. Little is known about the cost, length of treatment, and characteristics of patients returning to work. Methods: Prospective observational study of stroke patients treated between 12/2014-6/2016 in an interdisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation program addressing physical, psychosocial, cognitive, communicative, driving, and vocational issues. The estimated average cost of treatment was calculated from reimbursement amounts received for skilled PT, OT, ST, and Nurse Practitioner services, including services received after patients returned to work. Results: Of 96 consecutive patients, 48% were working prior to their stroke. Of these, 9% of patients were work capable and 44% returned to work (n=20) by rehabilitation discharge (mean program length was 8 months, maximum of 34 months). Returning workers were 70% men, mean age of 56 years, 75% ischemic strokes (4 Left, 4 Right, 3 Bi-lateral hemisphere, 4 posterior circulation), and on program admit had an average NIHSS score of 3.4 (range 0-9), 40% were aphasic, 65% needed ADL assistance (55% mRS=3, 10% mRS=4). All patients working prior to their stroke were also driving and 90% of those who returned to work also returned to driving. All patients demonstrated improvements in multiple standardized rehab outcome measures. Mean treatment cost for patients who returned to work was $17,730 (60% had costs less than $7,500; 25% had costs from $7,501-$21,000; 15% had costs from $50,000-$92,000). Services continued for 75% of patients after returning to work for an average of 3.7 months(included in mean program length of 8 months). Almost half of these patients (47%) were aphasic. Mean treatment cost for patients not returning to work was $22,561, with mean program length of 6.5 months. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that interdisciplinary, outpatient rehabilitation programs can promote successful return to work at a reasonable cost, with 60% of patients who returned to work costing less than $7500. Aphasic patients needed longer treatment, but were able to successfully return to work. Additional outcomes research is needed to understand mechanisms supporting stroke patients’ return to work and other patient-centered goals.