Creation of a Clinical Demonstration Unit: Embedding Academic Research into Point of Care in a Geriatric Unit.

Given that there are limited evidence-informed non-pharmacological interventions to treat behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, a specialized psychiatric hospital partnered with an academic university to create a clinical demonstration unit (CDU) - a learning health systems (LHS) model to advance dementia care. In this paper, we identify five key enablers that led to the successful creation of the CDU, its achievements and challenges encountered. The paper provides learnings for other healthcare providers who are considering initiating an LHS model within their setting to advance patient care.

Hospital Outdoor Spaces: User Experience and Implications for Design.

OBJECTIVES: This article aims to describe users' perspectives about the impact of hospital outdoor spaces on the patient experience in a postacute setting. BACKGROUND: Hospital outdoor space is an important element in healthcare facility design. There is growing evidence that access to green space within hospital outdoor spaces facilitates healing. However, limited studies have explored the users' perspective regarding how hospital outdoor spaces impact the patient experience. METHODS: As part of a hospital preoccupancy evaluation, users (patients, family, and staff) were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview to describe their experiences in the hospital's outdoor spaces. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-four individuals participated in this study: 24 inpatients, 15 outpatients, 11 family, 23 staff, and one volunteer. Three themes were identified: (1) outdoor space benefits healing by helping patients focus on life beyond their illness, (2) design of healthcare spaces facilitates patients' access to outdoor space to benefit healing, and (3) programming in the outdoor space promotes healing and recovery. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the users' perspective regarding the value of outdoor spaces and the design elements that influence the patient experience.

Predictors of Caregiver Distress in the Community Setting Using the Home Care Version of the Resident Assessment Instrument.

PURPOSE OF STUDY: The purpose of this study was to identify factors predictive of new onset and improved caregiver distress among informal caregivers providing assistance for clients receiving home care. PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTINGS: Home care. METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLE: The sample included 323,409 clients receiving home care from a Community Care Access Centre between March 2002 and March 2015 for whom data were available from two subsequent Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care (RAI-HC) assessments. Separate multivariate logistic regression models were created for onset of and improvement in caregiver distress. RESULTS: Variables that increase the odds in onset of caregiver distress included primary caregiver is not satisfied with support received from family and friends; client lives with primary caregiver; 65 years and older; has Alzheimer and other related dementia; has condition or disease that makes cognition, activities of daily living, mood, or behavior patterns unstable; took sedatives in the last 7 days; Method for Assigning Priority Levels (MAPLe) score 4 or more; demonstrates persistent anger; has difficulty using the telephone; is married; requires 20 hr or more of informal help weekly; and Clinical Risk Scale score 4 or more. Variables that increased the odds of improved caregiver distress include client now lives with other persons (as compared with 90 days ago); demonstrates good prospects for recovery; treatment changes in last 30 days; surgical wound; female; one or more hospital visits in last 90 days; greater number of months between RAI-HC assessments; and two or more hours of physical activities in the last 3 days. Variables that decreased the odds of improved caregiver distress (i.e., persistent distress) include MAPLe score 4 or more; persistent anger; difficulty using telephone; Alzheimer, related dementia; requires interpreter; and lives with primary caregiver. IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE: Informal caregivers provide essential support for home care clients. Factors predictive of new onset and improved caregiver distress can be used by case managers for comprehensive care planning that addresses the collective needs of the client-caregiver dyad.

Cost of an Integrated Care Program to Reduce ED Visits During Diabetic Prisoner Court Hearings.

Diabetic events occurring during court hearings previously required emergency medical services (EMS) transport to the emergency department (ED). A new process was implemented whereby the provincial court (PC) was notified by the detention center of diabetes status of prisoners scheduled for court later that day, enabling a community nursing services provider to provide on-site diabetes assessment and treatment at the PC. During the 13-month pre-implementation phase, there were 10 incidents of diabetic distress resulting in an ED visit at a total cost of $797.58/prisoner, including police service personnel, EMS, and ED staff/physician. During the 12.5-month postimplementation phase, insulin was administered on-site during 72 court dates at a cost of $161.93/prisoner. The new process for managing diabetic needs of prisoners during court dates resulted in a substantial cost savings in terms of police services and health care personnel and improved the immediacy and quality of care for prisoners.

Does size matter? Examining the effect of obesity on inpatient amputation rehabilitation outcomes.

Purpose This study investigated whether obesity impacted clinical outcomes of patients at discharge from inpatient amputation rehabilitation. Method This was a retrospective chart review examining admissions for lower extremity amputation rehabilitation at a Canadian Regional Amputee Rehabilitation Programme between December 2011 and June 2014. Discharge outcomes were predefined as the two-minute walk test (2MWT), the L-test of functional mobility and the SIGAM score. These were compared between each body mass index (BMI) group (underweight < 18.4 kg/m2, normal between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2, overweight between 25.0 and 29.9 kg/m2 and obese greater or equal to 30 kg/m2) as a whole and within transtibial, transfemoral and bilateral amputation groups. Results Of the 289 admissions meeting inclusion criteria, only underweight patients walked significantly less distance on the 2MWT than normal weight patients. There were group differences in the L-test, but post hoc testing was unable to qualify the differences. No significant difference was found in the SIGAM score. There were no significant differences found in the 2MWT, L-test or SIGAM when patients were grouped by amputation level. Conclusions Obesity does not appear to significantly impact inpatient amputation rehabilitation outcomes such as the 2MWT, L-test or SIGAM score. As such, obesity should not be a deciding factor as to whether a patient is offered rehabilitation. Implications for Rehabilitation Obesity is increasing in prevalence and is comorbid with peripheral vascular disease and diabetes, the leading causes of lower extremity amputation. Function is compromised in the obese general population when compared to non-obese individuals. Obesity does not seem to confer a disadvantage with regards to validated outcomes, such as the 2-min walk test, L-test or SIGAM score at discharge after inpatient amputation rehabilitation. Obesity should not be a barrier to offering inpatient rehabilitation to amputation patients.

The effect of water-based exercises on balance in persons post-stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Water-based exercises have been used in the rehabilitation of people with stroke, but little is known about the impact of this treatment on balance. This study examined the effect of water-based exercises compared to land-based exercises on the balance of people with sub-acute stroke. METHODS: In this single-blind randomized controlled study, 32 patients with first-time stroke discharged from inpatient rehabilitation at West Park Healthcare Centre were recruited. Participants were randomized into W (water-based + land; n = 17) or L (land only; n = 15) exercise groups. Both groups attended therapy two times per week for six weeks. Initial and progression protocols for the water-based exercises (a combination of balance, stretching, and strengthening and endurance training) and land therapy (balance, strength, transfer, gait, and stair training) were devised. Outcomes included the Berg Balance Score, Community Balance and Mobility Score, Timed Up and Go Test, and 2 Minute Walk Test. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of groups W and L were similar in age, side of stroke, time since stroke, and wait time between inpatient discharge and outpatient therapy on all four outcomes. Pooled change scores from all outcomes showed that significantly greater number of patients in the W-group showed improvement post-training compared to the L-group (p < 0.05). More patients in W-group showed change scores exceeding the published minimal detectable change scores. DISCUSSION: A combination of water- and land-based exercises has potential for improving balance. The results of this study extend the work showing benefit of water-based exercise in chronic and less-impaired stroke groups to patients with sub-acute stroke.

Home-based diabetes self-management coaching delivered by paraprofessionals: A randomized controlled trial.

This study evaluated paraprofessional-led diabetes self-management coaching (DSMC) among 94 clients with type 2 diabetes recruited from a Community Care Access Centre in Ontario, Canada. Subjects were randomized to standard care or standard care plus coaching. Measures included the Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale (DSES), Insulin Management Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale (IMDSES), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Both groups showed improvement in DSES (6.6 + 1.5 vs. 7.2 + 1.5, p < .001) and IMDSES (113.5 + 20.6 vs. 125.7 + 22.3, p < .001); there were no between-groups differences. There were no between-groups differences in anxiety (p > .05 for all) or depression scores (p > .05 for all), or anxiety (p > .05 for all) or depression (p > .05 for all) categories at baseline, postintervention, or follow-up. While all subjects demonstrated significant improvements in self-efficacy measures, there is no evidence to support paraprofessional-led DSMC as an intervention which conveys additional benefits over standard care.

Balance confidence and activity of community-dwelling patients with transtibial amputation.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between balance confidence and community-based physical activity. Twenty-two community-dwelling patients with right or left unilateral transtibial amputation who reported no falls in the past 6 mo completed the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and wore a StepWatch Activity Monitor for 7 consecutive d in the community. Subjects were subsequently stratified as low ( <3,000 steps/d) or high (>/=3,000) steps/d) activity groups. Balance confidence was significantly lower among the low activity weekday group (LAG, 70.8 +/- 12.0 versus 88.9 +/- 8.7, t(20) = 3.97, p = 0.001). Further, correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between ABC score and step total (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). It is unknown whether the LAG limited ambulation as an intentional strategy of fall-risk avoidance. Although clinicians routinely inquire about falls in the community among patients with lower-limb amputation, the results of this study emphasize the importance of contextualizing recent fall history relative to activity level. Clinicians can use this contextual information when considering the inclusion of appropriate fall-risk mediation strategies relative to activity levels and counseling patients of the benefits of physical exercise for maintaining functional capacity and general health.

Predicting Adverse Outcomes After Discharge From Complex Continuing Care Hospital Settings to the Community.

PURPOSE OF STUDY: The purpose was to identify risk and protective factors assessed at complex continuing care (CCC) admission that were associated with three adverse outcomes (death, readmission, and incidence of or failure to improve possible depression) for persons discharged from CCC to the community with home care services. PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTINGS: CCC, home care, community. METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLE: The sample included all CCC patients in Ontario assessed with the Resident Assessment Instrument-Minimum Data Set 2.0 between January 2003 and December 2010 and who were subsequently assessed with the Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care within 6 months of discharge to the community (n = 9,940). Separate multivariable logistic regression models were developed for each outcome. RESULTS: Within 6 months, 4.9% of the sample had died, 6.5% were readmitted to any Ontario CCC facility, and 13.7% showed symptoms of new possible depression or failure to improve possible depression. Heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), health instability, intravenous/tube feed, and pressure ulcer were associated with increased risk of death. Difficulty with comprehension, possible depression, COPD, unstable conditions, acute episode or flare-up, short-term prognosis, worsening self-sufficiency, and having either patient or caregiver optimistic about discharge were associated with increased risk of readmission. Existing depressive symptoms or depression, unsettled relationships, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy were associated with risk for incidence of or failure to improve possible depression. Optimism about rehabilitation potential and high social engagement were protective against readmission and depressive outcomes, respectively. IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE: Person-level clinical data collected on admission to CCC can be used to identify high-risk patients and trigger early discharge planning processes and other in-home interventions. These results support the sharing of information between settings, and highlight key areas in which care teams in CCC and case managers in home care organizations can work together to support the transition to home and potentially reduce adverse postdischarge outcomes.

Physical Activity in Adults with Diabetes Following Prosthetic Rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether adults with diabetes and with transtibial amputations (TTAs) are meeting the recommended guidelines for physical activity intensity and daily step counts. The secondary objectives were to 1) to explore whether physical activity levels are maintained following discharge from prosthetic rehabilitation and 2) to determine whether clinical measures of physical function are associated with physical activity. METHODS: Adults ≥40 years of age with TTAs secondary to diabetes were recruited following discharge from prosthetic rehabilitation. Outcomes included accelerometer-measured physical activity (worn on the ankle of the intact limb), the 2-minute walk test, gait speed, the L-test and balance confidence. Assessments were conducted at 3 months (baseline) and at 9 months following discharge from rehabilitation. Analyses included paired sample t tests and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The mean age for all participants (n=22) was 63±12 years. Participants took 3809±2189 steps per day at follow up, markedly lower than the 6500 steps per day recommended for older adults with chronic illness. Participants accumulated 24±41 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity, falling well below the recommended total of 150 minutes per week. An improvement was observed for performance on the L-test of functional mobility at follow up (-8.7 s±11.4; p=0.008). All other outcomes remained stable over time. Physical activity exhibited a good to excellent correlation with the 2-minute walk test distance (r=0.753; p<0.001) and gait speed (r=0.752; p<0.001) at discharge from rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity levels for adults with diabetes and TTAs remain stable following discharge from prosthetic rehabilitation but fall well below recommended guidelines of 6500 steps per day and 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week.

Evaluation of an Integrated Cluster Care and Supportive Housing Model for Unstably Housed Persons Using the Shelter System.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of an integrated cluster care and supportive housing model. PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING(S): Community shelters. METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLE: The Inner City Access Program (ICAP) is a new service delivery model employed by the Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre, which combines supportive housing services and health care for homeless, underhoused, and marginalized populations using the shelter system. We evaluated the effectiveness of the ICAP in facilitating access to health services, supporting goal-setting, and promoting interprofessional case management. Client interviews examined care goals, goal achievement, and satisfaction; staff interviews determined client-centeredness of staff-identified care goals/planning; document reviews were conducted to obtain service utilization and process data. RESULTS: Twenty clients received service during a 15-month period before implementation. This increased to 147 clients during a 16-month period post-implementation at a 60% reduction in cost/client. Results indicated that regular interdisciplinary team meetings promoted greater service delivery efficiency; greater client satisfaction was associated with goal achievement (p < .01); and a trend toward greater perceived goal achievement (as reported separately by clients and staff) and client satisfaction when staff- and client-stated goals were more closely aligned. IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE: The ICAP proved an efficient and cost-effective model in engaging marginalized populations. There was a trend toward greater client satisfaction when clients perceived success related to "education, employment, activities, and programs" goals.

The influence of a concurrent cognitive task on lower limb reaction time among stroke survivors with right- or left-hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of cognitive interference on foot pedal reaction time among stroke survivors with right- (RH) or left-hemiplegia (LH). DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparison without randomization. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: 10 patients post-stroke with RH, 10 with LH; 10 age-matched controls. METHODS: Foot pedal response times were measured using three different reaction time (RT) paradigms: simple RT, dual-task RT (counting backward by serial 3 seconds), and choice RT (correct response contingent on stimuli to eliminate pre-programing). RH and LH used the non-paretic leg for all trials. Three 3 (RT task) × 3 (group) mixed-model factorial ANOVAs were used to compare RT, movement time (MT), total response time (TRT). RESULTS: Overall controls demonstrated faster RT than RH (332 ± 73 versus 474 ± 144 ms, P < 0.001) or LH (402 ± 127 ms, P < 0.05); LH group demonstrated faster RT than those with RH (P < 0.05). Control subjects demonstrated significantly faster RT than RH for all RT conditions (P < 0.05 for all). In contrast, controls achieved significantly faster RT than LH for the choice RT condition only (P < 0.05), but not for the simple (P = 0.12) or dual-task RT conditions (P = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to controls, response time was significantly impaired among LH and RH when the response could not be pre-programmed. While current simple RT testing commonly employed by driver rehab specialists may be sufficient for detecting RT deficits in patients with RH, simple or dual-task RT tests alone may fail to detect RT deficiencies among LH, even when testing the non-paretic limb. Choice RT should be added to post-stroke driver fitness assessment, particularly for patients with LH.

Evaluation of a problem-solving (PS) techniques-based intervention for informal carers of patients with dementia receiving in-home care.

BACKGROUND: The value of care provided by informal carers in Canada is estimated at $26 billion annually (Hollander et al., 2009). However, carers' needs are often overlooked, limiting their capacity to provide care. Problem-solving therapy (PST), a structured approach to problem solving (PS) and a core principle of the Reitman Centre CARERS Program, has been shown to alleviate emotional distress and improve carers' competence (Chiu et al., 2013). This study evaluated the effectiveness of problem-solving techniques-based intervention based on adapted PST methods, in enhancing carers' physical and emotional capacity to care for relatives with dementia living in the community. METHODS: 56 carers were equally allocated to a problem-solving techniques-based intervention group or a control arm. Carers in the intervention group received three 1 hr visits by a care coordinator (CC) who had been given advanced training in PS techniques-based intervention. Coping, mastery, competence, burden, and perceived stress of the carers were evaluated at baseline and post-intervention using standardized assessment tools. An intention-to-treat analysis utilizing repeated measures ANOVA was performed on the data. RESULTS: Post-intervention measures completion rate was 82% and 92% for the intervention and control groups, respectively. Carers in the intervention group showed significantly improved task-oriented coping, mastery, and competence and significantly reduced emotion-oriented coping, burden and stress (p < 0.01-0.001). Control carers showed no change. CONCLUSION: PS techniques, when learned and delivered by CCs as a tool to coach carers in their day-to-day caregiving, improves carers' caregiving competence, coping, burden, and perceived stress. This may reduce dependence on primary, psychiatric, and institutional care. Results provide evidence that establishing effective partnerships between inter-professional clinicians in academic clinical health science centers, and community agencies can extend the reach of the expertise of specialized health care institutions.

A single-blind, cross-over trial of hip abductor strength training to improve Timed Up & Go performance in patients with unilateral, transfemoral amputation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hip abductor strength-training for patients with unilateral transfemoral amputation. DESIGN: Single-blind, cross-over (AB/BA) trial with randomization. SUBJECTS: Seventeen patients with transfemoral amputation. METHODS: Subjects completed 8-week programs of twice weekly hip abductor strength training or arm ergometry. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either the experimental or active control intervention first. A physiotherapist blinded to group assignment conducted baseline and post-intervention assessments. The Timed Up & Go (TUG) test was selected as the primary outcome measure; secondary measures included the 2 Minute Walk (2MW), hip abductor strength, Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and prosthetic use. A two-way cross-over ANOVA was used for baseline and post-intervention treatment comparisons. RESULTS: There were no baseline differences between treatments for TUG, 2MW, ABC, Houghton scale, sitting or side-lying abductor strength (p > 0.05 for all), though supine strength was greater for the experimental treatment (p < 0.05). After 8-weeks of hip abductor strength training, there were significant treatment effects for TUG, ABC (p < 0.01 for both), 2MW (p < 0.05), sitting and side-lying abductor strength (p = 0.05 for both), but not for supine strength, prosthetic use, nor thigh girth measures (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that patients with unilateral transfemoral amputation can improve functional performance and balance confidence following intense hip abductor strength training.

Comparison of foot pedal reaction time among patients with right or left hemiplegia and able-bodied controls.

BACKGROUND: Although inpatient stroke rehabilitation provides clinicians with the opportunity to prepare patients for continuation of prestroke activities, little is known about the patients' ability to safely resume driving at the point of discharge to the community. OBJECTIVE: To compare foot pedal response times of 20 stroke patients with right hemiplegia (RH) or left hemiplegia (LH) and 10 controls. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used. Response times were measured using 3 foot pedal operation techniques: (1) right-sided accelerator with right leg operating accelerator and brake, (2) right-sided accelerator with left leg operating accelerator and brake, and (3) left-sided accelerator with left leg operating accelerator and brake. Outcomes included reaction time (RT), movement time (MT), and total response time (TRT). RESULTS: Controls demonstrated faster RT than patients with RH (263 vs 348 ms; P < .001) or LH (316 ms; P < .05) for all conditions, as well as faster MT than patients with RH (P < .05 for all) but not LH when using the right leg (258 vs 251 ms; P = .82). Controls demonstrated faster TRT than patients with RH (P < .001 for all) but not LH when using the right leg (515 vs 553 ms; P = .44). CONCLUSIONS: When using the nonparetic leg, patients with LH had braking response times comparable to controls, but patients with RH demonstrated significant impairment of both the paretic and nonparetic legs.

Influence of a concurrent cognitive task on foot pedal reaction time following traumatic, unilateral transtibial amputation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of a secondary task on foot pedal reaction time, movement time and total response time in patients with transtibial amputation. DESIGN: Controlled trial without randomization. SUBJECTS: Ten patients with transtibial amputation and 13 age-matched controls. METHODS: Foot pedal reaction time and movement time were measured for both legs under simple and dual-task conditions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of a secondary task on foot pedal reaction time, movement time and total response time in patients with transtibial amputation. DESIGN: Controlled trial without randomization. SUBJECTS: Ten patients with transtibial amputation and 13 age-matched controls. METHODS: Foot pedal reaction time and movement time were measured for both legs under simple and dual-task conditions. RESULTS: While mean simple reaction time was similar for both groups (258 (standard deviation (SD) 53) vs 239 (SD 34) ms), a group by reaction time condition interaction (p < 0.05)identified a disproportionately greater mean dual-task effect among patients with transtibial amputation (432 (SD 109)vs 317 (SD 63) ms), apparently affecting the prosthetic and intact legs equally (426 (SD 110) vs 438 (SD 107) ms). Among patients with transtibial amputation faster movement time was achieved with the intact leg (185 (SD 61) vs 232 (SD 58)ms, p < 0.0001). Compared with controls, patients with transtibialamputation demonstrated impaired mean movement time (142 (SD 37) vs 208 (SD 64) ms, p < 0.001) and total response time (420 (SD 80) vs 552 (SD 151) ms, p < 0.001) regard less of reaction time condition. CONCLUSION: This study appears to have identified a functional manifestation of central reorganization following patients with transtibial amputation, affecting the prosthetic and intact lower limbs equally.

Outcomes of individuals with transfemoral and contralateral transtibial amputation due to dysvascular etiologies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional outcome of individuals with transfemoral and contralateral transtibial amputations secondary to peripheral vascular disease. METHODS: A retrospective chart review followed by phone interview. The primary outcome measures were the discharge 2-minute walk test, Frenchay Activities Index, and the Houghton Scale. RESULTS: There were 31 dysvascular individuals identified to have a combination of transfemoral/transtibial (TF/TT) amputation admitted to our institution for rehabilitation from February 1998 to June 2007. The mortality at follow up was 68%. There were eight surviving amputees. The average 2-minute walk test score was 31.9 m at the time of discharge from our inpatient program. Of these, the average Frenchay Activities Index was 15.3. The average Houghton Scale score for use of the transtibial prosthesis alone was 2.1. The average Houghton Scale score for use of both prostheses was 1.5. Comparisons between groups based on initial amputation level revealed a significant difference of being fitted with a transfemoral prosthesis. Those whom initially had a TT amputation were less likely to ultimately be fitted with a TF prosthesis (X(2) (1,n=31) = 4.76, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The overall functional outcome of individuals with a combination of TF/TT amputation due to dysvascular causes is poor. These individuals have a low level of ambulation, activity, and prosthetic use.

Long-term outcomes and survival of patients with bilateral transtibial amputations after rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine long-term outcomes and survival of patients after bilateral transtibial amputation (BTTA). DESIGN: A retrospective chart review and a cross-sectional interview was conducted at Amputee Rehabilitation Service, West Park Healthcare Centre, Toronto, Canada, with consecutive diabetic or vascular BTTA patients (n = 82) admitted for rehabilitation from 1998 to 2003. Main outcome measures included the Houghton scale of prosthetic use, SF-12, Frenchay Activities Index, and qualitative measurement of activities of daily living (ADL). RESULTS: Of 82 patients admitted for BTTA rehabilitation, 34 patients were interviewed an average of 3.7 yrs after amputation. Another 32 patients had died. Life expectancy was 4.2 yrs beyond rehabilitation discharge (Kaplan-Meier survival analysis). The mean modified Houghton score at telephone follow-up was 6.3 (maximum score of 9), with a significant improvement from rehabilitation discharge to follow-up (P = 0.001). Eighty-five percent were still wearing prostheses regularly and were walking. Most remained independent in ADLs. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing rehabilitation for BTTA continue to do well at long-term follow-up and to survive, on average, for more than 4 yrs after discharge. Therefore, they should be given strong consideration for prosthetic fitting.

Return to driving after lower-extremity amputation.

OBJECTIVES: To study driving behaviors after major lower-extremity amputations and to determine which factors influence return to driving after amputation. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Data were collected from patients attending an outpatient amputee and prosthetics clinic between February 2001 and September 2001. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample (N=123). Inclusion criteria were: age greater than 18 years, unilateral or bilateral major lower-extremity amputation, minimum 1 year since prosthetic fitting, and active automobile driver within 6 months prior to amputation. Subjects had an average age of 63.4+/-12.1 years and were on average 6.8+/-8.3 years since amputation. Common causes for amputation were peripheral vascular disease (73.2%), trauma (13.8%), and tumor (12.2%). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Driving habits after lower-extremity amputation. RESULTS: Overall, 80.5% of participants were able to return to driving an average of 3.8 months after amputation, although the majority reported a decreased driving frequency. Female sex (odds ratio [OR]=.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], .02-.34), age of 60 years or greater (OR=.16; 95% CI, .03-.74), right-sided amputation (OR=.13; 95% CI, .03-.52), and preamputation driving frequency of less than every day (OR=.18; 95% CI, .05-.69) were all significantly related to a reduced likelihood of return to driving postamputation. Items that did not have a statistically significant association with return to driving included level of amputation, reason for amputation, preamputation automobile transmission, and accessibility to public transit. Subjects with left-sided amputation had significantly fewer concerns about driving, while those with a right amputation frequently required vehicle modifications (40.6%) or switch to a left-foot driving style for braking (81.3%) and accelerating (65.6%). Common barriers to return to driving included preference not to drive, fear and/or lack of confidence, and related medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of subjects with major lower-extremity amputation were able to return to driving after major lower-extremity amputation. Major automobile modifications are commonly performed by right-sided amputees. Several predictors of return to driving and barriers preventing return to driving were identified.

Falls sustained during inpatient rehabilitation after lower limb amputation: prevalence and predictors.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for falling and fall-related injury among a group of inpatients undergoing rehabilitation after major lower limb amputation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. RESULTS: Out of 1267 patients, 260 (20.5%) fell at least once. There were a total of 374 falls, 67 (17.9%) of which resulted in one or more injuries. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for factors significantly associated with falling, including age of > or =71 yrs (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.02-1.89), lengths of stay of 22-35 days (OR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.14-7.72) or >5 wks (OR = 6.07, 95% CI = 2.34-15.71), four or more comorbidities (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.09-3.41), cognitive impairment (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.02-2.78), two or more as-needed medications (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.02-3.21), benzodiazepines (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.24-3.96), and opiates (OR = 5.76, 95% CI = 3.29-10.09). Factors significantly associated with fall-related injuries included bilateral amputation (OR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.49-9.05) and falls during the day shift (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.24-5.57). CONCLUSIONS: One in five patients with lower limb amputation will likely experience at least one fall during inpatient rehabilitation, with 18% sustaining an injury. Ongoing research is required to develop appropriate intervention strategies to ameliorate the risk of falling during inpatient rehabilitation.