Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation Earns Stroke Certification
6/9/2014 1:00:00 AM
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The Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation at Dallas has received its first disease-specific certification -- for stroke rehabilitation – from The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Such certification is recognized as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting certain performance standards.
"This provides further validation that our stroke program maintains the highest standards of excellence in the areas of patient care, performance outcomes and national patient safety criteria," said Fabian E. Polo, PhD, MBA, and CEO of the Rehabilitation Institute. "Our stroke patients can feel confident that they are being treated according to the stringent standards of The Joint Commission. The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ is a clear sign that we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to our patients."
The Rehabilitation Institute first applied for the certification and then received a site evaluation, during which the commission representative found "no areas of improvement," Polo said.
"I want to personally thank everyone who participated in the Stroke Certification Survey and who has worked so hard over the past several months preparing for this day," he said. "It was evident that the surveyor was very impressed with our hospital, staff and stroke program."
In the letter making the certification official, Mark G. Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer of the Commission's accreditation and certification division, said the certification process is designed to help organizations provide safe, high-quality care, treatment and services by identifying opportunities for improvement.
"We encourage you to use the certification process as a continuous standards compliance and operational improvement tool," he said.
Certification is valid for up to two years. Other Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation facilities also expect to receive certification in the near future.
About Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation
Since 1981, Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation (BIR) has helped people overcome serious disabilities and return to full, productive lives. BIR's interdisciplinary clinical teams – made up of physicians, nurses, therapists and other rehabilitation professionals – partner with patients and their families to design and implement treatment plans to achieve each patient's unique goals. BIR has received repeat recognition as one of the country's top rehabilitation hospitals in U.S. News & World Report's annual "America's Best Hospitals" report, and been designated by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research as a model system for the treatment and care of patients with traumatic brain injuries. BIR is a joint venture between Baylor Health Care System and Select Medical Corporation and includes four freestanding hospitals – BIR Dallas, BIR NW Dallas, BIR Frisco and BIR Ft. Worth. BIR also manages acute inpatient rehabilitation units at Baylor All Saints Medical Center and Baylor Medical Center at Irving, In addition, BIR operates more than 50 outpatient therapy centers and offers home health services. For more rel="noopener noreferrer" information visit: www.BaylorHealth.com/Rehab
About Baylor Scott & White Health
Baylor Scott & White Health, the organization formed from the 2013 merger between Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare, is today the largest not-for-profit health care system in the state of Texas. With total assets of $8.6 billion* and serving a geographic area larger than the state of Maine, Baylor Scott & White Health has the vision and resources to provide its patients continued quality care while creating a model system for a dramatically changing health care environment. The organization now includes 46 hospitals, more than 500 patient care sites, more than 6,000 active physicians, 36,000 employees and the Scott & White Health Plan. For more information visit:
* based on unaudited fiscal year 2014 financial statements
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