• Ijaz Ahmed, James E Graham, Amol M Karmarkar, Carl V Granger, and Kenneth J Ottenbacher.
• Department of Respiratory Care, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1137, USA.
• Respir Care. 2013 Apr 1;58(4):601-6.

BackgroundPneumonia is a common comorbidity among hospitalized older adults and may impede functional restoration and increase medical cost. Medicare reimbursement rates for patients receiving in-patient medical rehabilitation services are higher for individuals who have comorbid pneumonia. We examined the impact of comorbid pneumonia on outcomes for patients with lower extremity fracture receiving in-patient medical rehabilitation services.MethodsSecondary data analysis of medical records obtained from 919 in-patient rehabilitation facilities in the United States. The sample included 153,241 subjects who received in-patient rehabilitation services following lower extremity fracture in 2005-2007. We used multivariable linear regression to evaluate the independent effects of pneumonia on stay and discharge functional status (Functional Independence Measure instrument), and logistic regression models to explore discharge to home versus not home.ResultsPneumonia was a comorbidity for 4,265 (2.8%) of the subjects with lower extremity fracture. The multivariable models indicated that subjects with no payment-eligible comorbidity experienced shorter stay (regression coefficient -0.44, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.28 d), higher discharge functional status ratings (regression coefficient 1.84, 95% CI 1.42-2.25 points), and higher odds of home discharge (odds ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.09-1.29), compared to subjects with pneumonia.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that comorbid pneumonia is associated with poorer rehabilitation outcomes (stay, discharge functional status, and discharge setting) among subjects receiving in-patient rehabilitation services for lower extremity fracture.

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