Early unplanned transfers from inpatient rehabilitation

Objective: To identify characteristics of patients who transfer off inpatient rehabilitation to a surgical or medical unit before completion of their rehabilitation program. Design: A retrospective 9-yr chart review of patients transferred off the rehabilitation unit at a regional level 1 trauma center due to medical complications. Results: Of 3072 patient admissions, 250 (8%) were transferred to an acute medical or surgical unit, and 55 (22%) of those transfers were within 3 days. Of the 250 patients, 33% had traumatic brain injury, 23% had spinal cord injury, 24% had stroke, 2% had amputations, 18% were in other diagnostic groups, and 23% were > 64 yrs of age. When patients transferred early, only 47% were ultimately discharged to home, compared with approximately 72% of all discharges. The most common reasons for early transfer in these patients were infection (22%) and pulmonary complications (14%). Risk factors for early discharge included age of > 64 yrs, spinal cord injury, or amputation. Conclusion: Patients admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation unit who have spinal cord injuries, amputations, or are > 4 yrs old may have more medical/surgical complications. More detailed study of this patient population may help reduce the number of early transfers off the inpatient rehabilitation unit.