Inpatient rehabilitation experience of children with burn injuries: a 10-yr review of the uniform data system for medical rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the pediatric burn inpatient rehabilitation population and short-term functional outcomes using the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation.

DESIGN

This is a secondary analysis of data from the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation database between 2002 and 2011 included children younger than 18 yrs at time of admission to inpatient rehabilitation with primary diagnosis of burn injury. Demographic, medical, and functional data were evaluated. Function was assessed with the Functional Independence Measure or the WeeFIM.

RESULTS

A total of 509 children were included, of whom 124 were evaluated with Functional Independence Measure and 385 with WeeFIM. The mean age of the population was 8.6 yrs and most were boys (72%). The mean length of stay for the population was 35 days. Functional status improved significantly from admission to discharge; most gains were in the motor subscore. Most patients were discharged home (95%). Of those discharged home, most (96%) went home with family.

CONCLUSIONS

Children receiving multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation make significant functional improvements in total functional scores and in both motor and cognitive subscores. Most patients are discharged home with family. This study advances understanding of pediatric burn post-acute care outcomes.