| Sumario: | The present study compared 69 acute and 53 subacute geriatric rehabilitation patients matched on demographic and medical characteristics. Patients were admitted for rehabilitation secondary to stroke, hip fractures, deconditioning, and amputation. Patients had a mean age of 78 years; 64 percent were women, and 40 percent were African American. Subacute patients had significantly lower Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores at admission and at discharge, despite having a mean length of stay of 36 days versus 13 days in the acute sample. Differences were found on discharge disposition, with 74 percent of the acute sample returning to the community compared to 51 percent of the subacute sample. These data highlight the differences between the acute and subacute patients and may suggest that the goals of subacute care be redefined. Copyright © 2000 by Aspen Publishers, Inc.
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