Satisfaction with medical rehabilitation in patients with orthopedic impairment

Objective: To examine patient satisfaction after orthopedic impairment at 80 to 180 days after inpatient rehabilitation. Design: Retrospective design examining records from facilities subscribing to the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR). Setting: Information submitted to UDSMR from 1997 to 1998 by 177 hospital and rehabilitation facilities from 40 states. Participants: The sample (N = 7781) was 72.63% female and 88.60% non-Hispanic white, with a mean age ± standard deviation of 73.07 ± 11.81 years, and average length of stay (LOS) of 13.84 ± 10.48 days. Intervention: Usual rehabilitation care. Main Outcome Measures: Level of satisfaction 80 to 180 days after discharge as well as motor, cognitive, and subscale ratings for the FIM™ instrument. Predictor variables included gender, age, English language, marital status discharge setting, LOS, rehospitalization, FIM gain, and primary payer. Results: A logistic regression model was used to predict patient satisfaction at follow-up. Five statistically significant (P<.05) variables were found and correctly classified 94.9% of the patients. Discharge motor FIM rating, rehospitalization, age, patient's primary language, and discharge setting were associated with increased satisfaction. Discharge motor FIM ratings were significantly associated with increased satisfaction in patients with joint replacements and lower-extremity fractures. Conclusion: Functional and demographic variables were identified as predictors of satisfaction in patients with orthopedic impairments.