Optimizing length of hospital stay among inpatients with spinal cord injury: An observational study

Introduction and objectives: Despite the importance of length of stay (LOS) following spinal cord injury, it remains underexplored in the literature. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating the association between rehabilitation LOS and functional gains among patients with traumatic (TSCI) or non-traumatic (NTSCI) spinal cord injuries.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study assessing functional gains using the motor Functional Independence Measure (mFIM) and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III) from rehabilitation admission to discharge. Outcomes were analyzed across four neurological categories based on the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS): C1-C4 AIS A-C; C5-8 AIS A-C; T1-S5 AIS A-C; and AIS D. Linear regression models estimated changes across rehabilitation LOS quarters (Q1-Q4), adjusting for covariates.

Results: We included 1036 patients admitted for rehabilitation between 2007 and 2023 (46.3% TSCI, 53.7% NTSCI). TSCI: age 42.7, 80.2% male, 41.8% AIS A, LOS 90.5. NTSCI: age 55.7, 54.2% male, 14.2% AIS A, LOS 69.6. For TSCI, mFIM and SCIM III gains increased significantly from Q1 to Q2 (T1-S5-ABC, n=214) and Q2 to Q3 (AIS D, n=129). For NTSCI, gains increased from Q2 to Q3 (T1-S5-ABC, n=195) and from Q1 to Q2 as well as from Q2 to Q3 (AIS D, n=304). Adjusted models showed decreasing gains for Q2 and Q3 vs. Q1 (TSCI) but increasing gains for Q2-Q4 vs. Q1 (NTSCI) for both measures. No significant gains were observed from Q3 to Q4.

Conclusions: We identified specific neurological categories and LOS quarters yielding to significant functional gains.