RHCI Receives National Designation for Stroke Care

First in Northeast to Earn CARF’s New Stroke Specialty Program Accreditation

April 24, 2006
The Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands is the first hospital in the Northeast, and one of only five nationwide, to earn three-year accreditation for its Stroke Specialty Program by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The official notification on April 24, 2006 follows a two-day site inspection conducted in March.

The CARF report notes exemplary performance regarding ten practice standards, five of which relate to RHCI's stroke program. RHCI's extensive stroke education and prevention programs, its investment in technologies and other resources to support the delivery of excellent stroke rehabilitation care, and an innovative Stroke Peer Visitation Program were among program components highlighted in the report.

"It's very meaningful for us as caregivers that CARF recognized the collaborative efforts of our staff in making enhancements to our stroke program," says David M. Lowell, M.D., RHCI's medical director and a board-certified neurologist. "It's even more important for those who need rehabilitation after stroke to know this level of care is available close to home."

CARF has a 40-year history of setting standards of practice for providers of medical rehabilitation facilities. In June of 2005, CARF released new standards for accrediting Stroke Specialty Programs that would go into effect in January 2006. RHCI was among the first hospitals in the country to request and go through an accreditation review.

CARF surveyors assessed all aspects of RHCI's stroke services. "This new set of standards will raise the accountability of stroke specialty programs to a new level," explained Brian J. Boon, Ph.D., CARF president/CEO.

Some aspects of RHCI's Stroke Program that were singled out as exemplary include:

• Commitment of resources to support the delivery of stroke rehabilitation care, including the investment in new technologies (such as the NESS H200), funding for staff education, and "excellent [patient]-to-clinician" ratios.
• Stroke Education Coordinator, whose responsibilities include reviewing the scientific literature for the newest in proven treatments, ongoing training of staff, creation of educational materials for patients and staff, and advocacy.
• Implementation of a rapid-response protocol to ensure emergency treatment for patients or others experiencing the symptoms of stroke.
• The Stroke Peer Visitation Program, which trains stroke survivors and their caregivers to provide education and support to new stroke survivors in their homes. The emphasis is on providing practical solutions by people who know first-hand what it's like to live with the effects of stroke.

Since opening in 1995, RHCI's physicians, nurses, therapists and other rehabilitation specialists have provided high level inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services for persons recovering from stroke. In fact, about 20% of RHCI's inpatients are stroke survivors.

"It is extremely gratifying to receive the Stroke Specialty Program designation," says Carol Sim, President and Chief Executive Officer of RHCI. "A year ago, we made an institution-wide commitment to create the RHCI Center for NeuroRecovery. This focus allowed us to enhance long-standing programs for the neurologically impaired patient. Today's recognition by CARF essentially puts the industry's gold standard 'seal of approval' on our stroke rehabilitation program as a center of excellence."

With the creation of the RHCI Center for NeuroRecovery in 2005, RHCI implemented several enhancements to its stroke program. In addition to the initiatives praised by CARF, RHCI recruited a neurologist with specialized training in neurobehavioral rehabilitation as its medical director and developed or enhanced outpatient services, including a driver assessment program, to assist stroke survivors with continuing recovery and reintegration into the community. It also hosted the first annual "Bridging the Gap" Neuro Dissemination Conference for physical and occupational therapists.

The designation as a Stroke Specialty Program is part of a larger accreditation process by CARF that occurs every three years. The continuing accreditation of RHCI's medical rehabilitation program was also reaffirmed in the report announced April 24. In all, CARF cited ten categories of exemplary performance at RHCI. Five of them relate to standards in the Stroke Specialty Program.

RHCI is a 60-bed, acute rehabilitation hospital in Sandwich, MA. It is affiliated with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and is a member of Partners HealthCare System, Inc. RHCI provides inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation care to residents of the Cape, Islands, South Shore and South Coast regions.