Prediction of length of hospital stay following stroke.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of using an assessment of initial physical disability post stroke to predict length of hospital stay (LOS). A series of 106 patients with a primary diagnosis of stroke, admitted consecutively to St Vincent's Hospital Rehabilitation Unit over a 2-year period, was assessed at 2 weeks post stroke using the Mobility Scale for Acute Stroke (MSAS). This scale assesses the level of assistance required for a patient to perform five mobility tasks: bridging, sitting from supine, sitting, sitting to standing, and walking. A model utilizing MSAS data explained 69% of the variation in LOS. The results of this study may assist in developing resource utilization models in stroke rehabilitation.