Rehabilitation outcomes for brain injured patients in Australia: functional status, length of stay and discharge destination

This study describes the rehabilitation length of stay (LOS), discharge des tination and discharge functional status of 149 patients admitted with trau matic brain injury (TBI) to an Australian hospital over a 5-year period. Ho spital charts of patients admitted between 1993-1998 were reviewed. Average LOS over the 5-year time period was 61.8 days and only decreased nominally over this time. Longer LOS was predicted by lower admission motor FIM scor es and presence of comorbidities. Mean admission and discharge motor FIM sc ores were 58 and 79, which represented a gain of 21 points. Higher discharg e motor FIM scores were predicted by higher admission motor FIM scores and younger age. FIM gain was predicted by cognitive status and age. Most patie nts, 88%, were discharged back to the community, with 30% changing their li ving setting or situation. Changing living status was predicted by living a lone and having poorer functional status on admission.