Revisiting Length of Stay in Stroke Rehabilitation in Turkey

Abstract

Ozyemisci-Taskiran O, Gunendi Z, Aknar O, Karatas GK, Sepici V. Revisiting length of stay in stroke rehabilitation in Turkey. Objective To investigate the parameters influencing length of stay (LOS) in stroke rehabilitation in Turkey. Design Retrospective study. Setting Rehabilitation ward in a university hospital, a referral center in the capital of Turkey. Participants Consecutive inpatient stroke survivors (N=142) after ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events rehabilitated in a university rehabilitation center between January 2005 and October 2009. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure The primary study outcome measurement is LOS on the rehabilitation ward. Results LOS was best predicted by Brunnstrom's motor recovery stages (BMRS) lower extremity on admission, BMRS hand on admission, and the presence of infections (LOS in days = 70.6 – 5 × BMRS lower extremity – 3.2 × BMRS hand + 10.3 × presence of infections [infection; present=2, absent=1]; R 2=.37). Conclusions Motor impairments and infections were the parameters that most affected LOS in stroke rehabilitation. Prevention strategies for infections should be pursued more aggressively. The prevention of infections, which is an essential component of a patient's general well-being, also shortened LOS in stroke rehabilitation. High medical costs urge LOS to shorten in the developing countries hereafter. A national rehabilitation policy should be implemented to reach the same functional outcome with shorter LOS in stroke patients.