Outcomes after inpatient rehabilitation for older adults with hip fractures: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the clinical characteristics of older adults undergoing inpatient rehabilitation after hip fractures and to find factors associated with discharge location.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis.

Setting

Inpatient rehabilitation units in the United States.

Participants

≥65 years old patients with hip fractures.

Intervention

Inpatient rehabilitation with ≥1 hour of physical and occupational therapy per weekday.

Main measures

Home versus nonhome discharges.

Results

79% of 7439 (n = 5,908) patients were discharged to home after a median stay of 14 days, while 13% (n = 990) were discharged to skilled nursing facilities. 6% (n = 423) were transferred to acute care during rehabilitation stay. Functional mobility levels for bed-to-chair transfer and sit-to-stand at admission were significantly lower in patients discharged to facilities than in patients discharged to home. Older age (OR 0.97 per 1 year, CI 0.96–0.98); comorbidities of dementia (OR 0.68, CI 0.56–0.83) and cerebrovascular disease (OR 0.53, CI 0.36–0.78); and the use of opioid analgesics (OR 0.71, CI 0.56–0.91), antipsychotics (OR 0.73, CI 0.58–0.92), and anticonvulsants (OR 0.81, CI 0.67–0.96), and lower initial functional levels in bed-to-chair transfers (OR 0.08, CI 0.05–0.12) for dependent level; OR 0.16, CI 0.10–0.25 for level requiring maximal assistance; OR 0.38, CI 0.24–0.60 for level requiring partial, moderate assistance), were associated with a decreased likelihood of discharge to home after inpatient rehabilitation.

Conclusion

Older adults with dementia, cerebrovascular disorders, and lower bed-to-chair transfer mobility levels at admission after hip fractures may benefit from additional targeted rehabilitation to improve the chances of a successful community discharge.