A study of factors influencing the determination of discharge disposition of stroke rehabilitation patients

The purpose of this study is to reveal odds ratios of medical and socioeconomic factors, which influence discharge disposition from a stroke unit. We investigated 126 stroke patients (mean 65.9 y.o.) admitted to a community hospital within 30 days from the onset of the stroke. Eight factors were analyzed using a model of multilevel logistic regression. Ninety-eight patients (77.8%) could return home and 28 patients (22.2%) were discharged to another hospital or a long-term care facility. Three factors, higher Barthel index (odds ratio. 1.36), higher number of family members (1.84), and better substantial care ability (1.94), facilitate discharge home. Two other factors, hemorrhage (0.39) and livelihood protection (0.04) suppress discharge home. It is suggested that a stroke unit could accelerate discharge home by improving Barthel index. In addition, socioeconomic factors should be taken into consideration.