Changes in Outcome Trends of Patients with Cerebrovascular Accidents before and after the Introduction of Long-Term Care Insurance and Functional Independence Measure (FIM)

Abstract

We investigated the effects of changes in outcome trends of patients with cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) and functional independence measure (FIM) before and after the introduction of the long-term care insurance (LTCI). The subjects consisted of 464 CVA patients hospitalized in the Hyogo Rehabilitation Center Hospital before the introduction of the LTCI, and 467 CVA patients after the introduction of the LTCI. The FIM total score and the average hospitalization period were not influenced by the introduction of LTCI. After the introduction of LTCI, discharge from the hospital to home or to a another hospital showed a decreasing trend, but discharge to home care services showed an increasing trend. A detailed study of LCTI is required to increase the number of CVA patients staying at home and returning to the community.