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Patient Satisfaction at the Rusk Institute

CARF Accreditation

After a survey conducted in March of 2003, the Rusk Institute was once again awarded a full 3-year accreditation for comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation programs for adult and pediatric patients by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

The Commission found the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine 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."

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