Characteristics and outcomes of aged medicare beneficiaries with a traumatic spinal cord injury: 2002-2005

Abstract

The number of aged Medicare fee-for-service patients with a recent traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) treated in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) increased from 608 in 2002 to 840 in 2005. Each year, more than half of patients presented with incomplete cervical level injuries. The mean case mix index increased from 1.87 to 2.03 during the 4 years, and the percentage of patients discharged to the community decreased from 62.7 in 2002 to 55.5 in 2005. The median price of an IRF hospital stay was $16,995 (2002 US dollars) in 2002 and $21,625 (2005 US dollars) in 2005. © 2011 Thomas Land Publishers, Inc.