525 - Factors influencing length of stay for acutely hospitalized adults with cerebral palsy

Friday, February 20, 2026

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM AST

Presenting Author(s)

CS

Christine M. Seifen, BA

Medical Student
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, New York, United States
UO

Uwaoma Okwu-uwa, MSc

Medical Student
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, New York, United States

Co-Author(s)

AK

Alexa Knudsen, BS

Medical student
SUNY Upstate College of Medicine
Binghamton, New York, United States

Presenting Author(s)

BJ

Benjamin Jung, MD

Resident physician
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Jamesville, New York, United States

Co-Author(s)

KD

Katherine Draper, RN, MPH

Disability and Health Senior Researcher, Department of PM&R
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, New York, United States
MT

Margaret A. Turk, MD

Vice-Chair; SUNY Distinguished Service Professor
State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University PM&R Program
Syracuse, New York, United States

Submitter(s)

CS

Christine M. Seifen, BA

SUNY Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, New York, United States

Objectives: To identify factors that may contribute to a prolonged acute hospital length of stay (LOS) for adults with cerebral palsy (CP) that may offer earlier identification and potentially mitigate negative outcome

Design: A retrospective chart review was completed on adults ( >18yrs) identified with a diagnosis of CP and prolonged LOS ( >19 days) due to hospital admission from January 2023 to March 2025. Descriptive statistics, chi square, and the Mann-Whitney U test were reported. Data collected included demographics, social factors via Vizient® Variability Index (VVI; higher VVI identifies more social needs/obstacles over nine social domains), admission comorbidities, acute hospital details, LOS, and discharge information.    

Results: Of 41 included patients, 51.22% were female, average age of 44.33 years. Most had caregivers at home (68%), about half (49%) lived in a group home prior to admission, and the vast majority (97%) received support from the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Patients with a caregiver at home had a significantly shorter LOS compared to those without a caregiver prior to admission (32.54 vs 52.92 days, p=0.02). Patients living in a group home prior to admission had a significantly shorter LOS than those living elsewhere (31.95 vs 45.71 days, p=0.04). Older patients had significantly shorter LOS than younger patients (r=-0.42, p< 0.01); those ≥45 years averaged fewer days (30 vs 47), clinically but not significantly different. Higher VVI subscores indicating social (p< 0.001), housing (p< 0.01), economic (p< 0.01), and transportation instabilities (p=0.01) were significantly correlated to a higher LOS.  

Conclusions: Acute hospital LOS for adults with CP was significantly influenced by age, socially determined vulnerabilities and presence of support systems prior to admission. Assuring available care support in the community and identifying challenging social factors on admission/shortly thereafter to address possible barriers may help reduce LOS for acutely hospitalized adults with CP.