Impact of a Nosocomial COVID-19 Outbreak on Convalescent Rehabilitation Outcomes of Post-Stroke Patients

Taketa T, Uchiyama Y, Sakamoto Y, Tanaka Y, Suehiro T, Nakagawa S, Sakata K, Domen K. Impact of a Nosocomial COVID-19 Outbreak on Convalescent Rehabilitation Outcomes of Post-Stroke Patients. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2024; 15: 79-87.

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the impact of a nosocomial COVID-19 outbreak on convalescent rehabilitation outcomes of post-stroke patients.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included post-stroke patients who were hospitalized in convalescent rehabilitation wards of our hospital during a COVID-19 outbreak between July 22, 2022 and August 13, 2022 (outbreak group). The control group consisted of patients hospitalized in convalescent rehabilitation wards from October 1 to December 31, 2022 (non-outbreak group). The two groups were compared in terms of motor Functional Independence Measure (FIM) effectiveness at discharge, Brunnstrom Recovery Stage, length of stay, and duration of rehabilitation therapy. Furthermore, within the outbreak group, outcomes were compared according to whether patients were infected with SARS-CoV-2. The impact of the outbreak on motor FIM effectiveness at discharge was also evaluated.

Results: There were 30 patients in the outbreak group (COVID-19, n = 18; close contacts, n = 12) and 33 patients in the non-outbreak group. Motor FIM effectiveness at discharge was significantly lower in the outbreak group, but there was no significant difference in outcomes according to SARS-CoV-2 infection status. After adjusting for SARS-CoV-2 infection, the nosocomial outbreak was significantly associated with lower motor FIM effectiveness at discharge.

Conclusion: A nosocomial COVID-19 outbreak affected motor FIM effectiveness in convalescent rehabilitation for post-stroke patients, regardless of SARS-CoV-2 infection status.