Higher intensity physical, speech and occupational therapy created better, cheaper outcomes for stroke, orthopedic and heart patients, according to a recent study. Records of nearly 7,000 residents from 68 skilled nursing facilities were examined.
Intense therapy treatments led to better patient outcomes and shorter lengths of stay, according to clinical experts from Simmons College/Boston University and Senior Metrix, a Nashville, TN-based firm that supplies predictive modeling data to health plans.
Results of the study can be found in the September 2004 issue of the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (www.amjphysmedrehab.com).
