The FIM™ as a measure of change in function after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation: a Canadian perspective

Purpose. To examine the FIM TM as an outcome measure at follow-up following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Methods. Secondary analysis of the National Rehabilitation Reporting System (NRS) data from 13 facilities across Canada that collected follow-up data between 2001 and 2006. The study sample included all NRS records with a hospital length of stay of at least 3 days, for individuals 18 years and older. Outcomes included: mean total, motor and cognitive FIM TM scores at admission, discharge, and follow-up; change in FIM TM scores from admission to discharge and from discharge to followup; correlation between FIM TM scores at admission, discharge and follow-up, and predictors of the change in FIM TM scores between discharge and follow-up. Results. The majority of the change in FIM TM scores is seen between admission and discharge with the higher FIM scores maintained, if not increased slightly, between discharge and follow-up. Discharge and follow-up total FIM TM scores are highly correlated indicating that collection of the follow-up FIM TM may not provide additional information that justifies the expense of data collection after a patient has been discharged from inpatient rehabilitation. Conclusions. The use of more appropriate rehabilitation follow-up outcomes needs to be considered.