American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Jul 2008
Multicenter StudyA multicenter examination of the Center for Medicare Services eligibility criteria in total-joint arthroplasty.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) use a diagnostic category (revised in 2004) as one of eight criteria to determine whether a hospital is eligible for payment as an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF). Among the 13 specific categories of patients, there are three particular ones involving total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. The purpose of this investigation was to analyze inpatient rehabilitation outcomes in TKA and THA patients, using these CMS criteria. ⋯ All arthroplasty patients demonstrated improved physical function after inpatient rehabilitation. Those aged >or=85 yrs demonstrated the lowest efficiency, the greatest cost, and were the least likely to return home.