RESUMEN
Importance: The need for cancer rehabilitation is expected to continue to dramatically increase with the aging population and increasing number of cancer survivors. These survivors experience a wide range of physical limitations and symptoms that negatively affect their health and quality of life. Research is needed to determine the rate of adherence, reasons for non-adherence, and interventions to improve adherence to acute inpatient rehabilitation among patients with cancer. Objective: To evaluate the rate of adherence and reasons for non-adherence to acute inpatient rehabilitation in patients with cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a secondary analysis of a retrospective study that assessed medical complications in 165 patients with cancer who had a median length of stay of 11 days (interquartile range of 8-14) in acute inpatient rehabilitation. We reviewed the records of all consecutive patients who underwent acute inpatient rehabilitation from September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018 at a large academic, quaternary National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center. Main Outcomes and Measures: We calculated the rehabilitation session adherence rate and descriptively summarized the reasons for non-adherence. Results: There were 78/165 (47%) patients that had 1 or more incomplete rehabilitation sessions due to medical complications. These patients had a median of 2 (interquartile range of 1-4) incomplete rehabilitation sessions. We noted other reasons for incomplete rehabilitation sessions in 146/165 (89%) patients, who had a median of 3 (interquartile range of 2-4) incomplete rehabilitation sessions. The median total number of days with incomplete rehabilitation sessions in the entire cohort was 2 (interquartile range 1-3). Conclusion and Relevance: Among patients with cancer undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation, the adherence rate to 1-hour long intensive rehabilitation sessions were low due to medical complications and other reasons. This in turn affected compliance with the 3 hours of rehabilitation a day requirement for acute inpatient rehabilitation. Patients with cancer undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation are medically complex and further research at multiple institutions with larger cohorts may be beneficial in further assessing adherence rates and reasons for non-adherence to improve participation in acute inpatient rehabilitation.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Acute inpatient rehabilitation provides concurrent medical care and intensive rehabilitation. We sought to describe the nature of types of medical complications and to identify the more frequent types of medical complications management in patients with cancer undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS: We reviewed the records of all consecutive patients admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation from September 1, 2017, through February 28, 2018. Presenting problem noted to be a significant change in medical status using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Evaluation and Management Service Guide was defined as a medical complication. We recorded demographic and clinical characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess prognostic factors for returning to acute care. RESULTS: Among 165 evaluable patients, 158 (96%) had at least one medical complication, and 31 (19%) had an unplanned return to acute care. After excluding three patients who had planned return to acute care, there was a cohort of 162 patients and the most common medical complication categories were electrolyte abnormalities 81 (50%), musculoskeletal 70 (43%), genitourinary or renal 61 (38%), hematologic 58 (36%), and cardiovascular problems 46 (28%). Multivariable analysis showed that tachycardia (odds ratio [OR], 7.83; 95% CI, 2.23 to 27.54; P = .001) and weekly or more frequent RBC transfusions (OR, 5.23; 95% CI, 1.39 to 19.64; P = .014) were independently associated with unplanned return to acute care. CONCLUSION: A high frequency and wide range of medical complications and interventions occur in patients with cancer undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation. Close monitoring and expertise are needed for this patient population.
