Use of Physical Therapy Outcome Measures to Predict Discharge Destination in People With Stroke From Acute Care Hospital

Use of Physical Therapy Outcome Measures to Predict Discharge Destination in People With Stroke From Acute Care Hospital

Physical therapy assessments assist in discharge planning along with demographic and social factors for patients with stroke in acute care. Understanding where a patient can be discharged to, based on the patient's functional status post stroke is important to be able to use resources effectively, decrease length of stay, and facilitate early initiation of rehabilitation services if needed. Standardized outcome measures can help quantify functional deficits and the scores on the standardized outcome measures can in turn guide the discharge planning process. The Activity Measure for Post Acute Care "6-Clicks" (AM-PAC "6-Clicks") has been used in the acute care setting to guide discharge planning. Based on its cutoff scores, it also can assist in predicting discharge destination. The Mobility Scale for Acute Stroke (MSAS) has been used to determine discharge to home versus not home in patients with stroke. Understanding the validity of the MSAS in comparison with the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS) and the AM-PAC "6-Clicks" can be beneficial as the MSAS is a stroke specific outcome measure which is mainly used in acute care and is easy to administer. It can be administered in a short duration and consists of mobility and balance assessments which can help determine functional deficits.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals who have a confirmed diagnosis of a first acute, single or multiple infarct, ischemic or hemorrhagic in nature by imaging.
2. Individuals who are 18 years of age or older.
3. Individuals must be non-institutionalized prior to hospital admission.
4. Individuals whose primary spoken and written language is English.
5. Individuals who are referred for physical therapy in acute care.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals who are non-ambulatory prior to hospital admission.
2. Individuals having a diagnosis of secondary major trauma or subarachnoid hemorrhage.
3. Individuals with any comorbidity that prevents him/her from completing the tests such as a previous neurological injury or recent orthopedic diagnoses.