Physical Therapy Utilization and Length of Stay among Patients with Low Back Pain in Florida Hospitals

Purpose: The purpose of this work was identify key factors associated with inpatient physical therapy utilization and length of stay for patients with low back pain (LBP) in Florida hospitals. Rationale: Little is known about factors associated with inpatient physical therapy or length of hospitalization for patients with LBP. This group of works identified the key factors associated with inpatient physical therapy and long lengths of hospitalization for this patient population. Since physical therapy and reduced length of stay are known cost-reducers, identifying key factors may represent significant cost savings to the health care system. Methods: Several mixed method procedures were utilized to examine physical therapy utilization and length of hospitalization between the years of 1992 and 2014. Policy, patient and hospital characteristics, as well as, hospital procedures during a patient’s stay were examined as contributors to either physical therapy utilization or length of hospitalization. Conclusion: Many factors are associated with inpatient physical therapy utilization and length of stay for patients with LBP in Florida hospitals