Disparities in the allocation of inpatient physical and occupational therapy services for patients with COVID‐19

Background Survivors of the novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) experience significant morbidity with reduced physical function and impairments in activities of daily living. The use of in‐hospital rehabilitation therapy may reduce long‐term impairments. Objective To determine the frequency of therapy referral and treatment amongst hospitalized COVID‐19 patients, assess for disparities in referral and receipt of therapy, and identify potentially modifiable factors contributing to disparities in therapy allocation. Design, Setting and Participants Retrospective cohort study using data collected from the University of Colorado Health Data Compass data warehouse assessing therapy referral rates and estimated delivery based on available administrative billing. Measurements Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between sex and/or underrepresented minority race with therapy referral or delivery. Results Amongst 6239 COVID‐19‐related hospitalization, a therapy referral was present in 3952 patients (51.9%). Hispanic ethnicity was independently associated with lower odds of receipt of therapy referral (adjusted OR [aOR]: 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67–0.93, p = .001). Advanced age (aOR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.46–1.62, p