[Structural quality of neurologic rehabilitation clinics].

Background: In 2003, criteria for assessing the structural quality of rehabilitation units for inpatient treatment were developed in cooperation with the German statutory pension insurance and health insurance. The aim of this study was to assess this quality using predefined valuation criteria and to test their applicability.
Methods: In the context of the Quality Assurance Programme for Rehabilitation provided by the German statutory health insurance, the structural quality of 18 neurological rehabilitation units was assessed applying the criteria for the first time.
Results: On average, the 18 rehabilitation units fulfilled 93.9% of the basic criteria. Despite this high proportion, variability in the degree of realisation in the individual rehabilitation units could be demonstrated. The basic criteria are realistic in respect to the structural requirements, without leveling out the differences between the centres.
Conclusion: Assessing the structural quality of rehabilitation units on the basis of defined standards allows for a benchmark between units as well as for improvements within the individual units.