Tomoyo Taketa, MD, Yuki Uchiyama, MD, PhD, Yoko Sakamoto, MD, Yushi Tanaka, MD, Takafumi Suehiro, MD, Shinichi Nakagawa, MD, PhD,
Ko Sakata, MD, Kazuhisa Domen, MD, PhD
Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 15: 79-87, 2024
Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the impact of
a nosocomial COVID-19 outbreak on convalescent
rehabilitation outcomes of post-stroke patients.
Methods: This retrospective observational study
included post-stroke patients who were hospitalized in
convalescent rehabilitation wards of our hospital
during a COVID-19 outbreak between July 22, 2022
and August 13, 2022 (outbreak group). The control
group consisted of patients hospitalized in convalescent
rehabilitation wards from October 1 to December 31,
2022 (non-outbreak group). The two groups were
compared in terms of motor Functional Independence
Measure (FIM) effectiveness at discharge, Brunnstrom
Recovery Stage, length of stay, and duration of
rehabilitation therapy. Furthermore, within the
outbreak group, outcomes were compared according
to whether patients were infected with SARS-CoV-2.
The impact of the outbreak on motor FIM effectiveness
at discharge was also evaluated.
Results: There were 30 patients in the outbreak group
(COVID-19, n = 18; close contacts, n = 12) and 33
patients in the non-outbreak group. Motor FIM
effectiveness at discharge was significantly lower in
the outbreak group, but there was no significant
difference in outcomes according to SARS-CoV-2
infection status. After adjusting for SARS-CoV-2
infection, the nosocomial outbreak was significantly
associated with lower motor FIM effectiveness at
discharge.
Conclusion: A nosocomial COVID-19 outbreak
affected motor FIM effectiveness in convalescent
rehabilitation for post-stroke patients, regardless of
SARS-CoV-2 infection status.
Key words: COVID-19, Isolation, Nosocomial infection, Close contact, Motor FIM effectiveness