Change In Functional Independence Measure Score Research Articles

Functional Scoring of Multi-Trauma Patients

To help map the continuum from injury to return to full function, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was used in an acute care setting to identify and track disability, to focus rehabilitative efforts during the acute phase of care, and to help demonstrate what is truly important in getting patients back to full functional status. A total of 109 patients were assessed over a 13-month period. FIM scores were based on a patient's ability to routinely perform certain tasks in 18 areas of function and ranged from 1 to 7. The change in FIM scores from admission to discharge was used to determine those patients to be discharged home and those patients to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility. We conclude that the FIM is a very useful tool that produced a very good measure of a patient's total function, tracked progress or lack of it through acute hospitalization, and correctly categorized and quantitated dysfunction (both cognitive and physical) as discharge planning was being done.

Functional assessment in spinal cord injury: a comparison of the Modified Barthel Index and the 'adapted' Functional Independence Measure

The Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) have been used to provide objective measures of functional status and change of spinal cord injured (SCI) patients. To compare rating scores on the MBI and FIM, the functional abilities of 41 SCI patients were rated by one trained nurse-clinician using both scales at admission to initial rehabilitation (ADM), discharge from rehabilitation (DC) and at follow-up (FU) 12 months after rehabilitation. An 'adapted' FIM score was used, and total MBI and FIM scores were divided into self-care and mobility subscores. Comparisons were made between each MBI score and each FIM score at each point in time (ADM, DC, FU) using simple linear regression, which was also used to compare changes in the MBI and FIM scores from ADM to DC and from DC to FU. Excellent correlations ( p<0.0005) were found between MBI and FIM scores at all points in time and between changes in MBI scores and changes in FIM scores over each time interval.