The Berg balance scale as a predictor of length of stay and discharge destination in an acute stroke rehabilitation setting.

Objective: To examine the utility of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in predicting length of stay and discharge destination for patients admitted to a stroke rehabilitation unit.

Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Regional tertiary inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit. Methods: One hundred twenty-eight of 141 patients admitted consecutively between January 1, 1995, and March 31, 1996. Methods: Length of stay and discharge destination.

Results: Admission BBS scores and Functional Independence Measure scores correlated with length of stay (r = -0.6 and -0.5, respectively, controlling for age). Logistic regression revealed that the following were independent predictors of being discharged home rather than to an institution (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval): admission BBS (1.09, 1.04-1.13), age (.89, .83-.95), and presence of family support (11.7, 3.1-44.3).

Conclusions: Measuring the BBS scores of patients upon admission to an acute stroke rehabilitation unit may assist in approximating length of stay and predicting eventual discharge destination.