Trends in the characteristics and outcomes of older patients with non-traumatic spinal cord injury treated in inpatient rehabilitation facilities

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe the characteristics and outcomes of older (>= 65 years of age) patients with a non-traumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) treated in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) between 2013 and 2018.DesignObservational study.SettingIRFs in the United States.Participants93,631 IRF Medicare stays for patients with NTSCI.InterventionsNot Applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresLength of stay, self-care and mobility function, discharge destination.ResultsBetween 2013 and 2018, the number of older (>= 65 years of age) Medicare patients with a NTSCI treated in IRFs increased about 22.1 percent, from 14,149 to 17,275. In addition to the increase, patients' sociodemographic characteristics shifted to have a slightly higher percentage of patients aged 65-74 years, a slightly higher percentage of males, and slightly fewer patients who identified as Hispanic. There was also a trend of more patients in the higher acuity case-mix groups and comorbidities tiers, but the median length of stay remained 12 days across all years. The percent of patients discharged home or to a community-based setting varied from 73.7 to 75.2 without a trend, although discharge self-care and mobility function increased slightly across the years.ConclusionsBetween 2013 and 2018, the number of Medicare patients with NTSCI treated in IRFs increased by more than 22 percent. While patient complexity increased, the median length of stay remained 12 days across the years. Discharge self-care and mobility function increased slightly, and the percent of patients discharged home ranged from 73.7 to 75.2 across the years.