Frequency and Characteristics of Medical Complications in Rehabilitation Settings: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the available evidence on medical complications occurring in adult patients in subacute inpatient rehabilitation, and to describe the impact on subacute length of stay and readmission to acute care. DESIGN: Scoping review. SUBJECTS: Adult patients, within the inpatient rehabilitation environment, who experienced medical complications, clinical deterioration and/or the requirement of transfer to acute care. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE and CINAHL electronic databases was undertaken to identify primary research studies published in English and French during the period 2000-2021. Study reporting followed the standards indicated by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist (PRISMA-ScR). RESULTS: A total of 47 studies were identified for inclusion. Key results included differences in the type and frequency of complications according to admission type, the proportion of patients experiencing at least 1 complication, and complications associated with transfer to acute care. CONCLUSION: Patients admitted for inpatient rehabilitation are at high risk of medical complications and may not be medically stable during their admission, requiring care by clinicians with expertise in functional rehabilitation, and ongoing management by members of the multidisciplinary team with expertise in acute general medicine, infectious diseases and recognition and response to clinical deterioration.