We have found several significant patient characteristics that portend a better functional outcome after hip fracture. These include younger age, female gender, absence of diabetes mellitus, independent prefracture ambulation, not living alone before fracture, and being prescribed fewer medications that predispose to falling during rehabilitation. On the contrary, one of our most interesting findings is that patients with diabetes made slower gains, had a longer LOS and were less likely to be discharged directly home from the acute rehabilitation facility. There are numerous factors that may contribute to this, and suggestions are made for future research.
Background
Rehabilitation outcomes of COVID‐19 patients are unknown.
Objective
The purpose of this study is to describe COVID‐19 patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation and their rehabilitation outcomes.
Methods
Retrospective observational cohort study of all inpatients from a rehabilitation hospital between March 1 and September 30, 2020. Inclusion criteria are: ≥18 years of age and admission and discharge within the study time frame. The initial search yielded 920 patients; 896 met the inclusion criteria. Data was derived from the eRehabData database. Subjects were stratified by COVID‐19 status and rehabilitation impairment. Data included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), length of stay (LOS), discharge location, and functional ability measures for self‐care and mobility (FA‐SC, FA‐Mob). Descriptive statistics included age, BMI, gender, LOS, and discharge location. One‐sample t‐tests were used to assess the difference of age, BMI, LOS, FA‐SC, FA‐Mob, and FA efficiency between COVID‐19+ and COVID‐19‐ patients.
Results
COVID‐19+ patients were younger (59·4 years vs 62·9 years; t(894)= ‐2·05, p=0·04) with a higher mean BMI (32 vs 28; t(894)= 3·51, p<0·01) than COVID‐19‐ patients. COVID‐19+ patients had equivalent or superior improvements in FA‐SC and FA‐Mob, functional change efficiency, and LOS than COVID‐19‐ patients. Comparing Medically Complex patients, those with COVID‐19 had greater FA‐SC and FA‐Mob efficiencies than COVID‐19‐ patients. COVID‐19+ patients had similar rates of return to the community.
Conclusions
Patients with COVID‐19 who meet the admission criteria for inpatient rehabilitation can benefit from inpatient rehabilitation similarly to their non‐COVID‐19 counterparts with similar rehabilitation‐specific diagnoses.
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