Inpatient Post-Acute Rehabilitation For Patients in the Midwest: a Prospective Cohort Study of Clinical Characteristics and Process Outcomes

Rehabilitation improves health outcomes, reduces disability and improves quality of life. There is a significant and emerging body of international evidence to support the benefit and cost effectiveness of specialist rehabilitation services within a modern health service. The demand for rehabilitation services is growing with changes in populations and with the advances in health care and new interventions and technology. Our overall aim is to explore the outcomes and clinical characteristics of adults who are admitted to a rehabilitation hospital in the Midwest region of Ireland during admission, at the time of their discharge and at 6 months.

Rehabilitation is a dynamic and critical component of the therapeutic continuum and one that is essential if patients are to regain or maintain their life roles, health status and quality of life after serious illness or injury. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends in its definition that priority is given to ensure access, for those in need, to appropriate, timely, affordable and high-quality rehabilitation interventions. Life expectancy is improving and the population of older persons is growing with increased demand for specialist rehabilitation services. This population is at increased risk for functional decline and increased demand for healthcare services. With older adults accounting for up to 24% of all ED attendees and an anticipated rise in this number, this places increased strain on the healthcare system The aim of this study is to establish the demographic and clinical characteristics of adults in the Midwest referred, assessed and treated in St Ita's Rehabilitation Hospital in the Mid- West of lreland. This study will inform on resource requirements of our rehabilitation facilities to ensure that the complexity of the patients are matched by the resources provided. We will also explore the benefits of rehabilitation across a broad range of conditions and evaluate the outcomes for patients including patient reported measures.