Index > Vol. 42/2010 > Iss. 1/January > pp. 27-34 > Abstract
Original report

Characteristics and correlates of rehabilitation charges during inpatient traumatic brain injury rehabilitation in Singapore

doi: 10.2340/16501977-0476

Abstract:

Objectives: A prospective study of 91 consecutive traumatic brain injury admissions to rehabilitation over a 2-year period to determine factors impacting on rehabilitation charges.
Methods: Discharge records of 91 adult traumatic brain injury patients comprising total unsubsidized billings for each completed inpatient rehabilitation episode were used to derive total charges. Co-variates analysed included demographic, acute traumatic brain injury and rehabilitation variables including the Modified Barthel Index score.
Results: The total median rehabilitation charge per episode was S$7845.50 (range: S$970.55–$44,817.20) [1 Euro = 
S$2.10]. The top 3 contributory median total charges/episode included bed, board and nursing (S$5616.00), occupational therapy (S$606.00), and physical therapy (S$526.00). Patients with lower admission Glasgow Coma Scale scores, longer post-traumatic amnesia duration, dysphagia and medical complications during rehabilitation, lower admission Modified Barthel Index scores, longer acute and rehabilitation length of stay had significantly higher rehabilitation charges (p < 0.001). Using multiple regression analyses, only rehabilitation length of stay and change in Modified Barthel Index were significantly correlated with total rehabilitation charges (p < 0.001).
Discussion: Measures to reduce rehabilitation length of stay, to prevent medical complications, to facilitate transfers to rehabilitation, and expedient discharge planning may help to reduce rehabilitation charges.
Conclusion: This study has potential implications for healthcare resource planning for traumatic brain injury rehabilitation.

Authors:

Karen Sui-Geok Chua, Arul Earnest, Yii Chiong , Keng-He Kong

Key words:

head injuries; traumatic brain injury rehabilitation; charges; billing; length of stay.

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