Predictors of rehospitalization among elderly patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital: the role of polypharmacy, functional status, and length of stay.

Objectives: Rehospitalizations for elderly patients are an increasing health care burden. Nonetheless, we have limited information on unplanned rehospitalizations and the related risk factors in elderly patients admitted to in-hospital rehabilitation facilities after an acute hospitalization.

Setting: In-hospital rehabilitation and aged care unit.

Are fluctuations in motor performance a diagnostic sign of delirium?

Background: Although delirium is known as a mental disorder, recent evidence suggests that it is associated with short- and long-term impairment of functional status.

Objective: To evaluate whether a pattern of fluctuations in motor performance are a diagnostic sign of delirium.

Design: Case-controlled study with prospective evaluations of 4 groups of patients.

Clinical instability as a predictor of negative outcomes among elderly patients admitted to a rehabilitation ward.

Objectives: To assess the impact of clinical instability (CI) and delirium on admission to a rehabilitation unit on clinical and functional outcomes (death, transfer to acute care, poor functional recovery) at discharge, in a population of elderly patients.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Rehabilitation and Aged Care Unit (RACU).