Toward benchmarks for stroke rehabilitation in Ontario, Canada.

Objective: Canadian benchmarking data do not exist for stroke rehabilitation services. This study used the FIM-function-related group (FIM-FRG) classification system to group patients and to describe the outcomes within each group. The intent was to begin to develop benchmarks for persons recovering from stroke in Canadian rehabilitation facilities.

Methods: 561 patients were stratified into the nine categories of the FIM-FRG system. Length of stay (LOS), total FIM gain, total FIM at discharge, and discharge location were described for each category.

Results: Mean waiting time to rehabilitation admission was 29.7 days. Mean LOS was 49.2 days. Mean admission and discharge total FIM ratings were 78.1 and 103.1, respectively. FIM gain ranged from 8 to 37. Seventeen percent of patients were discharged to nursing homes, with rates ranging from a low of 0% (FRG 8 and 9) to a high of 60% (FRG 2).

Conclusions: For the nine FIM-FRG groups, LOS was considerably longer in the Canadian facility than in the United States, and total FIM score at discharge was higher in Canada. This is likely related to differences in the healthcare systems of the two countries and confirms the need to develop benchmarks based on Canadian data.