Association of Physical Therapy Treatment Frequency in the Acute Care Hospital With Improving Functional Status and Discharging Home. Issue 6 (16th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Joshua K.; Rothberg, Michael B.; Adams, Kellie; Lapin, Brittany; Keeney, Tamra; Stilphen, Mary; Bethoux, Francois; Freburger, Janet K.
• Is Part Of: Medical care. Volume 60:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 444
• Page End: 452
• Publication Date: 2022-06-16
• Subjects: rehabilitation -- physical therapy -- aucte care -- health services -- Hospital Administration; Economics, Medical -- Periodicals; Insurance, Health -- Periodicals; Santé, Services de -- Administration -- Périodiques; Soins médicaux -- Périodiques; Medical economics -- Periodicals; Health insurance -- Periodicals; Medical economics -- United States -- Periodicals; Health insurance -- United States -- Periodicals; Comprehensive Health Care -- Periodicals; Personal Health Services -- Periodicals; Gezondheidszorg; Économie de la santé -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Périodiques; Health insurance; Medical economics; United States; Periodicals; 362.10973
• DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000001708
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7079

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Physical therapists (PTs) are consulted to address functional deficits during hospitalization, but the effect of PT visit frequency on patients' outcomes is not clear. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine whether PT visit frequency is independently associated with functional improvement, discharge home, and both outcomes combined. Research Design: This was a retrospective cohort study. Subjects: Patients discharged from hospitals in 1 health system between 2017 and 2020, stratified by diagnostic subgroup: cardiothoracic and vascular, general medical/surgical, neurological, oncology, and orthopedic. Measures: PT visit frequency was categorized as ≤2, >2–4, >4–7, >7 visits/week. Functional improvement was defined as ≥5-point improvement in Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care mobility score. Other outcomes were discharge home and both outcomes combined. Results: There were 243, 779 patients included. Proportions within frequency categories ranged from 11.0% (>7 visits/wk) to 40.5% (≤2 visits/wk) and varied by subgroup. In the full sample, 36% of patients improved function, 64% were discharged home, and 27% achieved both outcomes. In adjusted analyses, relative to ≤2 visits/week, the adjusted relative risk (aRR) for functional improvement increased incrementally with higher frequency (aRR=1.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.14–1.26 for >2–4 visits to aRR=1.78, 95% confidence interval: 1.55–2.03 for >7 visits). For all patients and within subgroups, the higher frequency was also associated with a greater likelihood of discharging home and achieving both outcomes. Conclusions: More frequent PT visits during hospitalization may facilitate functional improvement and discharge home. Most patients, however, receive infrequent visits. Further research is needed to determine the optimal delivery of PT services to meet individual patient needs.