[Description of the clinical complexity of patients admitted to long term care hospitals in Catalonia during 2003-2009]

Abstract

Introduction: This work describes the clinical complexity of patients admitted to long term care hospitals between 2003 and 2009.

Material and methods: Cross-sectional analysis of Minimum Basic Dataset for Social and Healthcare Units information system data for 47,855 admissions. Outcomes assessed were functional and cognitive status, Resource Utilization Groups III (RUG-III), resource use categories, coverage and intensity of therapies, diagnosis, comorbidities, and medical procedures. Descriptive analyses were performed by year of admission.

Results: Dementia and acute cerebrovascular disease were the most frequent primary diagnoses, and showed a steady decline over time (8.8% and 2.3% decline), while family respite admissions and fractures increased (7.7% and 1.9%, respectively). The average functional and cognitive status of the treated population was similar across all years, although individuals with dependence in each Activity of Daily Living increased. The most frequent resource use categories were rehabilitation, reduced physical function, clinically complex care, and special care. A sharp increase in rehabilitation was observed during the study period (20.3%), while the other categories decreased. Increasingly more patients received rehabilitation therapy during their hospital stay (20.8%). Coverage increased particularly for physiotherapy (25.4%) and occupational therapy (17.4%).

Conclusion: The clinical complexity faced by long term care hospitals increased during 2003- 2009. The use of resources and provision of therapies show an increasing rehabilitation effort, possibly as a response to changes in the clinical complexity of the treated population, the standards of care, or the established information reporting practices.

Keywords: Actividades de la vida diaria; Activities of daily living; Complejidad del paciente; Hospitales de enfermedades crónicas; Long term hospitals; Management information systems; Patient acuity; Rehabilitación; Rehabilitation; Sistemas de información administrativa.