Measuring casemix, severity, and complexity in geriatric patients undergoing rehabilitation

An Overview of International Staff Time Measurement Validation Studies of the RUG-III Case-mix System

The RUG-III case-mix system is a method of grouping patients in long-term and post-acute care settings. RUG-III groups patients by relative per diem resource consumption and may be used as the basis for prospective payment systems to ensure that facility reimbursement is commensurate with patient acuity. Since RUG-III's development in 1994, more than a dozen international staff time measurement studies have been published to evaluate the utility of the case-mix system in a variety of diverse health care environments around the world. This overview of the literature summarizes the results of these RUG-III validation studies and compares the performance of the algorithm across countries, patient populations, and health care environments. Limitations of the RUG-III validation literature are discussed for the benefit of health system administrators who are considering implementing RUG-III and next-generation resource utilization group case-mix systems.

Identification of prognostic factors for activities of daily living in elderly patients after hospitalization for acute infectious disease in Japan: A 6-month follow-up study

AIM

We investigated factors that predict the prognosis of activities of daily living (ADL) in elderly patients who had undergone rehabilitation during hospitalization for acute infectious disease.

METHODS

The present prospective cohort study included 131 patients who were hospitalized due to acute infectious disease and who had undergone rehabilitation during hospitalization. Patient characteristics collected from medical records included age, sex and comorbidity score. The level of ADL 2 weeks before admission was assessed by interview at the start of rehabilitation. Grip strength testing, Short Physical Performance Battery as an assessment of lower limb function and the Mini-Mental State Examination as an assessment of cognitive status were carried out at the time of hospital discharge. The level of ADL at 6 months after discharge was assessed by telephone interview. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that independently predict ADL dependence (defined as being dependent in one or more ADL items at 6 months after discharge).

RESULTS

The average age of participants was 81.5 years, and 52.7% were women. A total of 22.1% of patients showed dependence in an ADL at 6-month follow-up. Factors that predicted an ADL dependence were comorbidity score (OR 4.19, 95% CI 1.19-14.69) and lower limb function (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.36-0.72) at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings have implications for the healthcare planning and well-being of elderly patients during hospitalization and after discharge. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 615-622.

Disability impacts length of stay in general internal medicine patients

BACKGROUND

Disability is prevalent among patients treated in Internal Medicine (IM), but its impact on length of inpatient stay (LOS) is unknown. Current systems of patient management and resource allocation are disease-focused with scant attention paid to functional impairment. Earlier studies in selected cohorts suggest that disability prolongs LOS.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship of disability with LOS in IM, controlling for comorbidity.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

PATIENTS

We charted 448 patients from an IM team admitted between 2008 and 2012 for sociodemographic, disease, biochemical and functional characteristics. Each IM team is on duty for one month annually, and patients were hence recruited for one month each year.

MAIN MEASURES

Disability was measured using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) recorded at discharge. Comorbidity was measured using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

KEY RESULTS

Of the 448 patients, 57.4 % were male with mean age 68.6 years. The mean LOS was 9.58 days. The mean motor and cognitive FIM scores were 57.1 and 25.7, respectively. The mean CCI score was 2.69. Thirty-four percent had major social issues impacting discharge plans. The five most common diagnoses for admission were pneumonia (8.9 %), urinary tract infection (7.8 %), cellulitis (7.6 %), heart failure (7.1 %) and falls (6.0 %). Both cognitive and motor FIM scores were negatively correlated with longer LOS (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, variables independently associated with longer LOS included the motor FIM score (P < 0.001), presence of social issues such as caregiver unavailability (P < 0.001), non-realistic patient expectations (P = 0.001) and administrative issues impeding discharge (P = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

Disability predicts LOS in IM patients, and thus their comprehensive care should involve functional assessment. As social and administrative factors were also independently associated with LOS, there is a need to involve social workers and administrators in a multidisciplinary approach towards optimizing LOS.

Pattern of functional change during rehabilitation of patients with hip fracture

OBJECTIVE

To examine the rate of functional change in 2 domains, activities of daily living (ADLs) and mobility, over 2 time periods during hip fracture rehabilitation.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of data contained in an administrative dataset.

SETTING

Seventy skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).

PARTICIPANTS

People (N=351) receiving rehabilitation in SNFs from March 1998 to February 2003 after hip fractures.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Rate of change in scores in the ADL and mobility domains of the FIM instrument during 2 time intervals of rehabilitation.

RESULTS

The rate of functional change across 2 time intervals was constant for mobility (mean change in FIM points per day, .46 vs .49), but declined in the second time period for ADLs (mean change in FIM points per day, .55 vs .41). Executive function, length of stay (LOS), and medical complexity were related to rate of change in mobility, and baseline ADLs, executive function, living setting, and LOS were related to rate of change in ADLs. There was an interaction between rehabilitation phase and baseline mobility. People with lower baseline mobility had an increased rate of change during the second interval (mean change in FIM points per day, .41 vs .55), whereas those with higher baseline mobility had a decreased rate of change (mean change in FIM points per day, .50 vs .43).

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of functional change over time differed for ADL and mobility domains, and for specific groups of patients. The results have implications for goal setting and discharge planning.

Measuring Medical Complexity During Inpatient Rehabilitation After Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE

To compare the performance of 3 severity of illness (SOI) indices--the Comprehensive Severity Index (CSI), All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups Severity of Illness, case-mix group (CMG)--and 5 well-known neurologic parameters, as measures of medical complexity.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

Inpatient rehabilitation center within a level I trauma center.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive traumatic brain injury (TBI) admissions (N=212).

INTERVENTION

Acute inpatient TBI rehabilitation. CSI and neurologic parameters were scored by chart extraction. SOI was based on diagnosis codes by using 3M PC Grouper software, version 15.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Adjusted R 2 was used to predict rehabilitation charges as a proxy of medical complexity.

RESULTS

The highest adjusted R 2 values for single variables predicting charges were: CMG .349, CSI .293, duration of posttraumatic amnesia .260. Adjusted R 2 values for the CMG combined with the CSI, 5 neurologic parameters, and SOI to predict charges were .446, .431, and .365, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The CMG was the best single predictor of rehabilitation charges for TBI. Predictive ability was better when the CMG was combined with the CSI or a combination of the 5 neurologic parameters. A severity index based on objective clinical findings rather than diagnostic codes may have distinct advantages for rehabilitation outcome studies and reimbursement methodology.

Length of hospital stay and health services use of medical inpatients with comorbid noncognitive mental disorders: a review of the literature

We reviewed 23 studies on the association between noncognitive mental disorders and the use of general health care services by medical patients admitted to a general hospital. Only studies with a prospective design and with a correction for possible confounding factors were included. In most studies, only service use during index admission was observed, but eight studies included a longer observation period during follow-up after hospital discharge. The 15 studies that were restricted to service use during index admission showed mixed results: length of hospital stay was related to common mental disorders in some studies, but other studies did not find such an association. The eight studies that used a longer observation period showed findings that are more consistent. They demonstrated mainly that symptoms or complaints of depression are related to a higher resource use within general medical services.

Geriatric rehabilitation nursing: Developing a model

In this paper, we describe a geriatric rehabilitation nursing model developed on the basis of the nursing and rehabilitation literature. That literature comprised some 120 articles addressing the rehabilitation of elderly patients and the work done by nurses in that process, various philosophical questions and the results of geriatric rehabilitation. One-third of these articles has been evaluated on the strength of the articles' evidence, and these are discussed in this paper. The findings show that the main factors in geriatric rehabilitation nursing are the patient with health or functional problems and the nurse with professional values, knowledge and skills. The patient is part of a family and the nurse works as part of a multidisciplinary team. In the geriatric rehabilitation process, the patient and the nurse work in close interaction. The aims of rehabilitation depend upon the patient's commitment to the objective and upon the nurse's commitment to help the patient achieve that objective. A health orientation, goal-oriented work, nursing decision-making and a rehabilitative approach to work are all central to this effort. Work is organized in multidisciplinary teams where nurses have equal responsibilities with other professional staff. Testing and development of the model is ongoing.

Functional gains and therapy intensity during subacute rehabilitation: a study of 20 facilities

OBJECTIVES

To document patient, program characteristics, and therapy service provision in subacute rehabilitation across 3 types of facilities that provide subacute rehabilitation, to examine the determinants of therapy intensity, and to evaluate the contribution of rehabilitation services to functional gains.

DESIGN

A retrospective study linking administrative billing data and patients' functional assessment records.

SETTING

Twenty facilities part of the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR) subacute database

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1976 billing records of patients with stroke, orthopedic, and debility impairments, discharged in 1996 and 1997, were retrieved and linked with the FIM trade mark instrument ratings from UDSMR subacute database.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Total therapy intensity and Rasch-transformed FIM domain gains (ie, gains in self-care, mobility, cognition).

RESULTS

Therapy intensity was mostly determined by impairment and facility type, although variances explained by the predictors were small. Patients in all 3 impairment groups made functional gains; gains were related weakly, although significantly, to therapy intensity and rehabilitation duration after controlling for other variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The provision of rehabilitation therapies varied across facilities. Skilled nursing facilities with subacute rehabilitation units tended to provide more therapies than subacute units in acute or rehabilitation hospitals.

Using administrative data to study persons with disabilities

Administrative data result from administering health plans--tracking service utilization, paying claims, monitoring costs and quality--and have been used extensively for health services research. This article examines the strengths and limitations of administrative data for health services research studies of people with disabilities. Administrative data offer important advantages: encompassing large populations over time, ready availability, low cost, and computer readability. Questions arise about how to identify people with disabilities, capture disability-related services, and determine meaningful health care outcomes. Potentially useful administrative data elements include eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid through Social Security disability determinations, diagnosis and procedure codes, pharmacy claims, and durable medical equipment claims. Linking administrative data to survey or other data sources enhances the utility of administrative data for disability studies.

Predicting discharge destination for patients with severe motor stroke: important functional tasks

Many patients with severe stroke are capable of returning to the community after receiving rehabilitation services. The purpose of this study was to describe outcomes of patients with stroke in FIM-FRG STR1, a classification based on the Functional Independence Measure, and identify important functional tasks associated with discharge to home. FIM-FRG STR1 is one of nine subpopulations of stroke that have been identified based on motor/cognitive FIM subscale score and age. We reviewed the program evaluation data of 259 cases of stroke from 1993 to 1996. We performed a descriptive analysis of the data and a logistic regression analysis to determine which tasks measured by the FIM were associated with discharge destination, a key indicator of rehabilitation success. We found that three admission FIM variables (bladder management, toilet transfers, memory) and three discharge FIM variables (upper body dressing, bed/chair transfers, comprehension) were associated with discharge destination with up to 75% accuracy. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Stroke rehabilitation. 4. Stroke outcome and psychosocial consequences

This self-directed learning module highlights recent research in assessment of stroke outcomes and management of the psychosocial consequences of stroke. It is a part of the chapter on stroke rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article discusses predictive factors for mortality and functional recovery; proposed case mix adjustment and prospective payment systems for stroke rehabilitation; continuum of care and utilization of acute, nursing home, outpatient and home health rehabilitation programs; reintegration and socialization after stroke; vocational rehabilitation of stroke patients; and management of the psychosocial effects of stroke on patients and families.

Stroke rehabilitation: clinical predictors of resource utilization

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of rehabilitation hospital resource utilization for patients with stroke, using demographic, medical, and functional information available on admission.

DESIGN

Statistical analysis of data prospectively collected from stroke rehabilitation patients.

SETTING

Large, urban, academic freestanding rehabilitation facility.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 945 stroke patients consecutively admitted for acute inpatient rehabilitation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Resource utilization was measured by rehabilitation length of stay (LOS) and mean hospital charge per day (CPD).

METHODS

Independent variables were organized into categories derived from four consecutive phases of clinical assessment: (1) patient referral information, (2) acute hospital record review and patient history, (3) physical examination, and (4) functional assessment. Predictors for LOS and CPD were identified separately using four stepwise multiple linear regression analyses starting with variables from the first category and adding new category data for each subsequent analysis.

RESULTS

Severe neurologic impairment, as measured by Rasch-converted NIH stroke scale and lower Rasch-converted motor measure of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) instrument predicted longer LOS (F2,824 = 231.9, p < .001). Lower Rasch-converted motor FIM instrument measure, tracheostomy, feeding tube, and a history of pneumonia, coronary artery disease, or renal failure predicted higher CPD (F6,820 = 90.2, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Stroke rehabilitation LOS and CPD are predicted by different factors. Severe impairment and motor disability are the main predictors of longer LOS; motor disability and medical comorbidities predict higher CPD. These findings will help clinicians anticipate resource needs of stroke rehabilitation patients using medical history, physical examination, and functional assessment.

Improving health care outcomes through geriatric rehabilitation. Conference summary

The Boston Working Group on Improving Health Care Outcomes Through Geriatric Rehabilitation was structured around four major themes: (1) defining disability or disablement; (2) the patient's experience of the processes and outcomes of care; (3) the role and value of clinical practice guidelines; and (4) the need for casemix and severity or risk adjustment procedures and measures. These discussions produced opening statements of policy or empiric issues and recommendations about the best means of demonstrating the benefits of geriatric rehabilitation and, in particular, how to measure, ensure, and improve the quality of rehabilitation services, especially for the elderly. This article summarizes the reports from the work groups and identifies some common themes. Critical points include: (1) the need to define and describe geriatric rehabilitation better for nonexperts in the health field and for patients and consumers in general; (2) the need for more research to link rehabilitation processes with measurable and clinically important outcomes; (3) the breadth and depth of domains of processes and outcomes of care that ideally could and should be measured; and (4) the need to reach many audiences with a clear message about the importance of geriatric rehabilitation in ensuring high quality of care and good health status and functional outcomes for all elderly patients.