Bayhealth’s Inpatient Rehabilitation has been awarded a three-year accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). This accreditation, which was an extension of an already in-place accreditation, extends through Jan. 31, 2022.
CARF accreditation is an international program that promotes quality, value and optimal outcomes for rehabilitation programs. Achieving this accreditation signifies that Inpatient Rehabilitation provides the highest quality, value and optimal outcomes for our patients. Inpatient Rehabilitation also holds individual accreditation from CARF as a Stroke Specialty Program.
The Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit treats a variety of patients, including those who have suffered a stroke, spinal cord injury, orthopaedic conditions, amputation, and more. Staff work with patients to address physical and medical challenges, such as mobility issues, self-care, feeding, swallowing, communication, and problem solving.
The department’s re-accreditation follows an intense two-day survey where 1,800 standards were considered. The CARF accreditation is not required of the unit, but Bayhealth has been committed to achieving this recognition for several years. “By doing this, we’re choosing to set ourselves apart from others,” said Nurse Manager Kim Beddow, MSN, RN, CNML. “We’re committed to making sure we’re proactive in improving the care we provide.” An example of this is rehabilitation’s work to refocus on patient outcomes. Rather than looking at outcomes on a monthly or quarterly basis, Beddow said the team discusses patient outcomes every day in their huddles.
Program Director Margaret Gulledge said receiving their re-accreditation validates the work they’ve done to provide excellence in rehabilitative care. She credits how well the Inpatient Rehabilitation team works together in achieving CARF again. In fact, the surveyors pointed to the department’s teamwork as a reason for their success. “The interdisciplinary team of dedicated professionals is a true strength of the rehabilitation program,” surveyors noted in the document regarding the survey. “The quality of their work, which stems from their individual enthusiasm, expertise, and caring, is further enhanced by their cooperative working relationships. They also demonstrate a commitment to providing the best care possible to their patients.”
Staff at the Bayhealth Inpatient Rehabilitation, Sussex Campus are driven to give patients the tools necessary to gain their independence. Visit Bayhealth.org/Inpatient-Rehabilitation to learn more about the services provided at the Inpatient Rehabilitation.
