Rehab

IRF stays are getting shorter

Rehab Regs, October 21, 2004

Average lengths of stay (LOS) for inpatient rehabilitation are getting shorter, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study suggests that the decline in LOS is a result of changes in reimbursement and is causing a decline in the mortality rate as well as a functional decline for patients. The study analyzed data from 744 inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) in 48 states. From 1994 to 2001, the median LOS decreased from 20 to 12 days, with a proportional decrease greatest for patients with orthopaedic conditions.

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