Are there predicting factors for burn patients that transfer to a rehabilitation center upon completion of acute care?

Introduction: Choosing the right burn patient that transfers to a rehabilitation facility following acute hospitalization is a difficult decision. In our study we characterize demographic, injury and hospitalization related variables that predict a burn patient's transfer to a rehabilitation facility.

Methods: We analyzed the data of 974 burn patients with burns of the second degree and deeper, spanning 20% TBSA (total body surface area) or more, that were admitted to all 5 hospitals that operate a burn unit in Israel, between the years 1998 and 2005.

Results: The results of the multivariate logistical regression model in which the predicted variable is discharge to rehabilitation showed that the most predictive variables were inhalation injury, surgical procedures and hospitalization period. Execution of a surgical procedure was the most influential factor over discharge to rehabilitation (odds ratio=6.202) followed by inhalation injury (OR=4.706) and finally, the hospitalization period (OR=1.026) (an increase of 1.026 times in the likelihood to be sent to rehabilitation with any additional day of hospitalization).

Discussion: In this study we examined patients who were sent to a rehabilitation facility upon completion of their acute care in an attempt to evaluate common initial clinical variables that assist in making an educated decision regarding the patient rehabilitation transfer. This is one of the first attempts at examining and revealing evidence based parameters that might determine the correct burn patient to send to rehabilitation after his hospitalization.