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The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) recently
surveyed the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and found it to be ". . . an
outstanding organization that has remained committed to its founder's vision.
Open and effective lines of communication between the organization's
executive leadership, operational leadership, and direct care providers
involved in daily service provision ensure that needs are met, issues are
resolved in a timely manner, team members collaborate, and positive
outcomes are achieved for those admitted to RIRM's programs. Rusk Institute
of Rehabilitation Medicine New York University Hospitals Center is awarded a
Three-Year Accreditation to March 2006." The Rusk Institute "is recognized
for its outstanding physical rehabilitation services" and CARF awards this
accreditation for the Rusk Institute's "Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient
Rehabilitation Programs/Hospital (Adults), and Pediatric Family-Centered
Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs/Hospital."
Some of the comments from the June 2003 CARF accreditation letter are as
follows:
"In the following areas Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
demonstrates exemplary conformance to the standards."
"The organization has an exceptional operational leadership team.
They have an extensive knowledge of all facets of physical
rehabilitation, are readily accessible to all levels of personnel, and are
great advocates for persons with activity limitations, the organization,
and its programs."
"RIRM has an extensive and well-run risk management program. All
unusual occurrences are investigated and trended. Performance
improvement activities are initiated from this data. The data collected
have allowed the programs to make changes that have enhanced the
care provided to the persons served. In addition, the risk management
program has done an exceptional job of lowering the liability risk of
RIRM in its day-to-day operations."
"RIRM is commended for its extensive training programs. It is evident
that the training of future practitioners of all types of health care
disciplines is a major emphasis and passion of the staff members."
"Documentation and interviews demonstrate that RIRM does an
outstanding job of analyzing its outcomes in order to establish areas
for improvement."
"The medical director and staff members demonstrate extraordinary
advocacy for people with activity limitations. This includes participation
in development of programs, such as the Jerry Lewis muscular
dystrophy program and many community advocacy programs."
"The organization has uniquely well-developed programs for peer
support, sibling support, and parent support."
"Transition to school in the pediatric program includes such
extraordinary measures as a visit to the school by the psychologist."
"Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (RIRM), New York
University Hospitals Center has strengths in many areas."
"All levels of personnel, including executive, operational, and direct
care staff members, are excellent advocates for rehabilitation and the
persons served."
"The accessibility committee has made and continues to make
important contributions to the RIRM and Tisch Hospital facilities'
accessibility."
"RIRM is fortunate to have excellent recruitment and retention,
including students in almost all areas of rehabilitation, a broad
rehabilitation continuum in which to work, and an excellent work
atmosphere. The nurse vacancy rate is less than five percent. The
persons served benefit from the consistency of staff members."
"The strategic plan is well written and thorough, and serves the
organization well as a guide to its extensive marketing efforts."
"The in-house wheelchair maintenance program is a valuable asset of
the organization. It ensures timely availability of wheelchairs to this
large and very busy organization."
"The horticulture therapy program and greenhouses are a wonderful
benefit to the persons served. In addition, these areas are made
available to other local organizations, which assists with marketing and
outreach efforts."
"All the programs at RIRM demonstrate a strong team process."
"Several professionals are leaders in their respective fields, including
the president emeritus of the board of directors of the National
Aphasia Association and the chair of the advisory board of the Brain
Injury Association."
"A strong staff orientation and education program is noted."
"The overall information and outcomes management systems are
comprehensive and well organized and provide the programs with a
wealth of data from which to develop performance improvement
initiatives."
"The consumer input steering committee provides RIRM with valuable
information from the perspective of the persons served."
"Although few in number, patient complaints are handled in a timely
and efficient manner."
"A comprehensive series of age-specific satisfaction surveys to elicit
the input of children and teenagers has been developed."
"The proximity of Tisch Hospital, an acute care facility, facilitates a
continuum of care and ready accessibility of a comprehensive group of
specialists in medical subspecialty areas and other health-related
fields."
"Research is fostered, promoting advances in the fields of
rehabilitation and education."
Posted June 20, 2003
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