Correlates of rehabilitation hospital length of stay among older African-American patients.

This study addresses a gap in the current literature on the correlates of rehabilitation hospital length of stay for older African Americans. Using data from 616 consecutively admitted rehabilitation patients who ranged in age from 50 to 103 years old, we tested the effect of patient's primary medical impairment; structural factors such as admit and discharge setting; level of depression (Geriatric Depression Scale); functional ability upon hospital admission (FIM score); and other control variables. Hierarchical linear regression models show that medical impairment alone was not a robust predictor of LOS. However, when controlling for structural and psychosocial factors, and medical condition, then circulation/amputation impairment was directly associated with longer LOS. Being unmarried or at risk for depression were also directly related to longer LOS. Consequently, rehabilitation administrators and hospital staff should note these findings to determine whether and how these factors affect discharge outcomes in their particular rehabilitative environments.