Effects of Anemia on Rehabilitation Outcomes in Elderly Patients in the Post-Acute Care Setting

摘要

We investigated how anemia affects patients' rehabilitation as measured by performance of activities of daily living, rehabilitation goals, disposition, and length of stay. We used 124 patients' medical records. Physical therapists specified rehabilitation goals and disposition of patients and measured their activities of daily living using Functional Independence Measure scores. We conducted descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analysis of the data. Of the 124 patients, 87 were found to be anemic. The 19 patients treated for anemia had a week shorter length of stay, more goals of therapy met, 2-point better Functional Independence Measure scores, and better disposition versus nontreated anemic patients. Anemia treatment improves patient outcomes.