Cape Cod Hospital One of Five in U.S. Certified for Outstanding Stroke Care

The Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands in Sandwich is the first in the Northeast to be recognized for its programs, technology in caring for stroke patients.

Sandwich, MA (PRWEB) April 28, 2006 -- The Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands is the first hospital in the Northeast, and one of only five nationwide, to be designated as a Stroke Specialty Program by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The official notification follows a two-day site inspection conducted in March.

The commission report notes exemplary performance regarding ten practice standards, five of which relate to RHCI’s stroke program. The hospital’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 the commission recognized the collaborative efforts of our staff in making enhancements to our stroke program,” says Dr. David M. Lowell, the hospital’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.”

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

Commission surveyors assessed all aspects of the hospital's stroke services. “This new set of standards will raise the accountability of stroke specialty programs to a new level," explained Brian J. Boon, the commission's president.

Some aspects of 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, funding for staff education, and “excellent [patient-to-clinician” ratios.”
-- Naming a 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.
-- Implementing a rapid-response protocol to ensure emergency treatment for patients or others experiencing the symptoms of stroke.
-- Starting a 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, the hospital's doctors, 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 the hospital's inpatients are stroke survivors.

“It is extremely gratifying to receive the Stroke Specialty Program designation,” says Carol Sim, hospital president and chief executive officer. “A year ago, we made an institution-wide commitment to create a Center for NeuroRecovery. This focus allowed us to enhance long-standing programs for the neurologically impaired patient. Today’s recognition 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 Center for NeuroRecovery in 2005, the hospital implemented several enhancements to its stroke program. It recruited a neurologist with specialized training in neurobehavioral rehabilitation as its medical director and developed or enhanced outpatient services, including a driver rehabilitation 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 that occurs every three years. The continuing accreditation of the hospital’s medical rehabilitation program was also reaffirmed in the report. In all, the commission cited ten categories of exemplary performance at hospital. Five of them relate to standards in the Stroke Specialty Program.

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