Comparison of Functional Outcomes After Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation After Acquired Brain Injury Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to characterize and compare functional outcomes of acquired brain injury patients in an inpatient rehabilitation facility in the year before (April 2019–March 2020) and during the first year (April 2020–March 2021) of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the most drastic changes in the delivery of health care occurred. Design In this retrospective single-center chart review study, functional outcomes, based on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility–Patient Assessment Instrument, were obtained and analyzed for patients in acute inpatient rehabilitation with acquired brain injury. Results Data from 1330 patients were included for analysis. Functional outcomes of average self-care, bed mobility, and transfer scores were statistically, but not clinically, different between groups. More patients in the pandemic group were discharged home (prepandemic n = 454 [65.4%]; pandemic n = 461 [72.6%]; P = 0.011), although they had significantly longer lengths of stay (prepandemic median = 14.0 [interquartile range = 9.0–23.0]; pandemic = 16.0 [10.0–23.0]; P = 0.037). Conclusions Despite the impact of hospital policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, similar functional outcomes were obtained for those with acquired brain injury after inpatient rehabilitation.