Identifying Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether racial, ethnic, and linguistic disparities exist at discharge from an acute inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) by examining change in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores and discharge destination. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study using our IRF's data from the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation from 2013-2019. FIM scores and discharge destination were compared between race, language, and ethnic groups, with adjustment for patient characteristics. SETTING: An urban hospital with a level 1 trauma center, comprehensive stroke center, and IRF with Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) certification. PARTICIPANTS: 2518 patients admitted to the IRF from 2013-2019 (N=2518). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in FIM score and discharge destination. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, non-White patients and patients with limited English proficiency had significantly lower functional recovery, as measured by smaller changes in FIM scores from IRF admission to discharge. Additionally, both groups were more likely to be discharged home with home health care than to a skilled nursing facility, compared with White and English-speaking patients. Disparities in discharge destination persisted within patients with noncommercial insurance (Medicaid or Medicare) and a stroke diagnosis but not within those who had commercial insurance or a nonstroke diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Racial and linguistic disparities were identified within our CARF certified IRF; however, the organization is committed to reducing health care disparities. Next steps will include investigating interventions to reduce disparities.

Solitary bone plasmacytoma compression injury disguised as back pain: a case report.

Introduction: Low back pain is a leading disability worldwide; however, it is not often the result of a serious underlying condition such as a tumor. As a result, diagnosis of a serious underlying cause of low back pain may be delayed, such as in this case. Case presentation: We describe a case of a man presenting with low back pain, who was eventually diagnosed with solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) causing spinal cord compression from approximately T7-T9. The patient was classified as T8 ASIA C-Incomplete Paraplegia. He underwent an emergency T7-T9 open posterior laminectomy and resection of the epidural mass/tumor. Following an intensive course of rehabilitation treatment, the patient progressed to ASIA D. Discussion: Although SBP of the spine is rare, back or neck pain is a common initial presentation. This case is unique in that we provide a detailed description of both medical and rehabilitation diagnosis and treatment. We also suggest that persistent back pain warrants complete MRI spinal imaging to provide proper diagnosis and prompt treatment for cases with a serious underlying condition.

From A to D: A Unique Case Report of Recovery After Longitudinal Myelitis Related to Lupus.

Longitudinal myelitis secondary to an acute flare of systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported in the literature. There have been few published cases of complete functional recovery in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-related longitudinal myelitis (systemic lupus erythematosus-related longitudinal myelitis). Of those cases, none have described in detail the rehabilitation course of treatment. In the current case, intensive rehabilitation was coupled with aggressive pharmaceutical treatment resulting in almost full functional recovery. A 23-yr-old African American woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus was originally admitted as an inpatient for flank pain. Overnight, she progressed rapidly to complete flaccid paraplegia classified as T3 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A based on the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury. Throughout the next year, she participated in acute inpatient rehabilitation, followed by outpatient rehabilitation (physical, occupational, and aquatic therapies). A year after her initial hospital admission, she progressed to full community ambulation T3 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale D. This case illustrates the importance of proper medical treatment and a comprehensive rehabilitation program, which improved functional outcomes for a patient with a complete spinal cord injury due to systemic lupus erythematosus-related longitudinal myelitis.

Process monitoring evaluation and implementation for the wood abrasive machining process.

Wood processing industries have continuously developed and improved technologies and processes to transform wood to obtain better final product quality and thus increase profits. Abrasive machining is one of the most important of these processes and therefore merits special attention and study. The objective of this work was to evaluate and demonstrate a process monitoring system for use in the abrasive machining of wood and wood based products. The system developed increases the life of the belt by detecting (using process monitoring sensors) and removing (by cleaning) the abrasive loading during the machining process. This study focused on abrasive belt machining processes and included substantial background work, which provided a solid base for understanding the behavior of the abrasive, and the different ways that the abrasive machining process can be monitored. In addition, the background research showed that abrasive belts can effectively be cleaned by the appropriate cleaning technique. The process monitoring system developed included acoustic emission sensors which tended to be sensitive to belt wear, as well as platen vibration, but not loading, and optical sensors which were sensitive to abrasive loading.