An analysis of the relationship between the utilization of physical therapy services and outcomes for patients with acute stroke

Background and Purpose. Little research has been conducted on the outcomes of care for people who have had a stroke. In this study, the relationship b etween physical therapy utilization and outcomes of care for patients with acute stroke was examined. Subjects. The sample consisted of 6,342 patients treated in US academic health center hospitals in 1996 who survived their inpatient stay and received physical therapy. Methods. The primary data sou rce was the University HealthSystem Consortium Clinical Data Base. Physical therapy use was assessed by examining physical therapy charges. Outcomes o f care were assessed in terms of the total cost of care (ie, whether the co st of care was more costly or less costly than expected, taking into accoun t patient characteristics) and in terms of discharge destination tie, wheth er the patient was discharged home or elsewhere). Regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between physical therapy use and outc omes. Results. Physical therapy use was directly related to a total cost of care that was less than expected and to an increased probability of discha rge home. Conclusion and Discussion. The results of this study provide prel iminary evidence to support the use of physical therapy in the acute care o f patients with strokes and indicate the need for further study of this top ic. [Freburger JK. An analysis of the relationship between the utilization of physical therapy services and outcomes of care for patients with acute s troke.