The SCIRehab project: treatment time spent in SCI rehabilitation Inpatient treatment time across disciplines in spinal cord injury rehabilitation

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2011 · DOI: 10.1179/107902611X12971826988011 · Published: January 1, 2011

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study examines the amount of time spent on rehabilitation treatments for patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) during their inpatient rehabilitation stay. The researchers looked at the distribution of time for each rehabilitation discipline, the variation in therapy time between patients, and what factors predict that variation. By understanding how treatment time is allocated, the study aims to eventually relate specific interventions to patient outcomes one year after the injury.

Study Duration

1 Year

Participants

600 patients with traumatic SCI

Evidence Level

Practice-based evidence

Key Findings

1
The average length of stay was 55 days, with patients receiving an average of 180 hours of treatment, or 24 hours per week.
2
Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) accounted for the majority of treatment time, followed by nursing, therapeutic recreation, psychology, and social work.
3
Length of stay (LOS) was the strongest predictor of total treatment time, while the severity of illness (CSI score) was the strongest predictor of LOS.

Research Summary

This study investigates the amount and distribution of treatment time during inpatient SCI rehabilitation across different disciplines and patient groups. The findings reveal significant variations in treatment time based on factors such as length of stay, severity of illness, and patient characteristics. The study highlights the importance of understanding how treatment time is allocated and its potential impact on patient outcomes, setting the stage for future research to correlate interventions with specific results.

Practical Implications

Resource Allocation

The data can inform resource allocation decisions in SCI rehabilitation programs.

Personalized Treatment

Understanding the factors that influence treatment time can aid in tailoring interventions to individual patient needs.

Outcomes Research

The data sets the stage for investigating the relationship between specific treatments and patient outcomes.

Study Limitations

1
The participating rehabilitation centers are not a probability sample, limiting generalizability.
2
Data were not collected for all disciplines, such as respiratory care and chaplaincy.
3
Potential for errors in reported treatment time due to omissions or documentation issues.

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