Acute-Hospital Care versus Rehabilitation Hospitalization for Management of Nonemergent Complications in Multiple Sclerosis

A retrospective chart review indicated that 56 % of patients admitted to an acute-care hospital for treatment of multiple sclerosis could have been managed in a rehabilitation hospital setting. Using retrospective case matched analysis, it was found that the per diem cost of acute-hospital care was $625, compared with $364 for a rehabilitation hospital. A significant reduction in hospital cost might be achieved depending on the length of stay in a rehabilitation hospital. During the index rehabilitation hospital stay, no patient required transfer to an acute-care hospital. The incidence of rehospitalization during a 16 month follow-up period was somewhat better for the rehabilitation hospital group (0.86) than for the acute-hospital group (1.36). One patient in each group died during the follow-up period. These data indicate that admission to a rehabilitation hospital is an acceptable alternative to acute-care hospitalization for selected patients with multiple sclerosis who are failing on outpatient management. Key Words: Mul-tiple Sclerosis—Rehabilitation—Costs. Owing to the spiralling cost of medical care i