Time-series analysis of the barriers for admission into a spinal rehabilitation unit

Abstract

Study design: This is a prospective open-cohort case series. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess changes over time in the duration of key acute hospital process barriers for patients with spinal cord damage (SCD) from admission until transfer into spinal rehabilitation unit (SRU) or other destinations. Setting: The study was conducted in Acute hospitals, Victoria, Australia (2006. Methods: Duration of the following discrete sequential processes was measured: acute hospital admission until referral to SRU, referral until SRU assessment, SRU assessment until ready for SRU transfer and ready for transfer until SRU admission. Time-series analysis was performed using a generalised additive model (GAM). Seasonality of non-traumatic spinal cord dysfunction (SCDys) was examined.Results: GAM analysis shows that the waiting time for admission into SRU was significantly (Po0.001) longer for patients who were female, who had tetraplegia, who were motor complete, had a pelvic pressure ulcer and who were referred from another health network. Age had a non-linear effect on the duration of waiting for transfer from acute hospital to SRU and both the acute hospital and SRU length of stay (LOS). The duration patients spent waiting for SRU admission increased over the study period. There was an increase in the number of referrals over the study period and an increase in the number of patients accepted but not admitted into the SRU. There was no notable seasonal influence on the referral of patients with SCDys. Conclusions: Time-series analysis provides additional insights into changes in the waiting times for SRU admission and the LOS in hospital for patients with SCD.

Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities Regarding Research in Non-traumatic Spinal Cord Dysfunction

“…It is suggested that a formal study needs to be undertaken to determine the validity of the ISNCSCI among people with SCDys and to help with formulating guiding principles that may be appropriate to optimize the validity for adjust for confounding variables and computer modeling. 58,59 In addition, systematic and scoping reviews, along with meta-analyses when sufficient studies are available, can be used to increase the evidence base regarding SCDys.…”

Characteristics of Non-traumatic Spinal Cord Dysfunction in Canada Using Administrative Health Data

“…6 Patients may have received treatment outside of specialized rehabilitation facilities due to personal choice, admission criteria, absence of local treatment facilities available for persons with NTSCD, lengthy wait-times, and/or death prior to rehabilitation facility admission. 11,22,23 Survey data use assumptions when extrapolating to overall population risks, as there is an inherent bias toward persons who have less severe injuries, 24 higher socioeconomic status, 25 and non-terminal diagnoses. 24 An approach beyond a single point of care and survey-based data is required to assess a more inclusive sample population for NTSCD.…”