The Acute Rehab Unit (ARU) at Regional West Medical Center is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and by the Joint Commission. Regional West's ARU has also received special accreditation from CARF as a certified Stroke Specialty Program.

These designations represent the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and underscores Regional West's substantial conformance to the CARF standards. To earn a three-year accreditation, the ARU underwent a rigorous peer review process and demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are accountable, measurable, and of the highest quality.

Why is CARF accreditation important?
Regional West's participation and adherence to CARF standards means that our ARU is dedicated to continuous improvement by examining patient health outcomes and surveying patients about their experiences. CARF accreditation also validates the quality of our care and services, including:

• Employing qualified professional physicians, nurses, therapists, and social workers.
• Personalizing care plans to fit the needs of each patient.
• Providing patient-centered care, including prompt response to patient needs and questions.

Following are some excerpts from the report by the CARF team following their 2012 onsite visit:

• The organization and ARU focus on building and reinforcing a culture of safety. This is reflected in performance improvement activities, staff education and competencies, daily operations, and the environment of care.
• The ARU is led by an experienced and respected team that values its employees and persons served. The management staff is enthusiastic, well-qualified, and highly committed to providing optimum services.
• The dedication and professionalism demonstrated by all the team members on the ARU are commendable. This translates into the outstanding care delivery and interdisciplinary team interactions.
• The ARU is commended for implementing a Patient Advisory Council. This is a group of highly committed, articulate, supportive volunteers who are available to meet with persons served who are experiencing diagnoses similar to those with which the volunteers have prior experience. These volunteers bring a realistic and positive perspective to persons served who benefit from their support. They cover a wide age range and diagnoses, and the service they provide is highly valued by staff and program leadership.