Postacute care setting is associated with employment after burn injury

Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J82538

Journal:

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2019 , 100, 11, 2015-2021

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study examined differences in long-term employment outcomes following burn injury across various postacute care (PAC) settings. A total of 695 adult survivors of burn injury enrolled between May 1994 and June 2016 who required PAC at a Burn Model System center following acute care discharge were included. Participants were divided into 2 groups based on acute care discharge disposition: 447 participants who received PAC at an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) following acute care were included in the IRF group, and 248 who were treated at a skilled nursing facility, long-term care hospital, or other extended-care facility following acute care were included in the Other Rehab group. The primary outcome was employment status at 12 months postinjury. Propensity score matching and logistic regression were utilized to determine the effect of PAC setting on employment status. The results showed individuals in the IRF group had larger burns and were more likely to have an inhalation injury and to undergo amputation. At 12 months postinjury, the IRF group had over 9 times increased odds of being employed compared to the Other Rehab group, using propensity score matching. Given the current lack of evidence-based guidelines on PAC decisions, the results of this study shed light on the potential benefits of the intensive services provided at IRFs in this population.

Author(s):