RUSK INSTITUTE AWARDED THREE-YEAR CARF ACCREDITATION

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