Use of a functional mobility measure to predict discharge destinations for patients admitted to an older adult rehabilitation ward: A feasibility study

Objective To investigate whether the discharge destination for older adults can be predicted using functional mobility as measured by the Modified Elderly Mobility Scale ( MEMS ), associated with demographic and primary reason for admission variables. Methods A retrospective cohort population audit of 257 patients admitted and discharged from four tertiary older adult rehabilitation wards in a three‐month period. A number of predictor variables were considered alongside the discharge destination. Results Multinomial statistical modelling established that MEMS prior to (P < 0.001), MEMS on completion (P = 0.009) of rehabilitation physiotherapy and primary reason for admission (P = 0.002) were significant variables to predict discharge destination. The model correctly predicted 71% of observed patient discharge destinations. Conclusion The MEMS in conjunction with primary reason for admission was able to predict discharge destination with 71% accuracy in a heterogeneous population of older adults following rehabilitation.