HOW BHRI MEASURES UP

"How many patients with my diagnosis have you treated in the past year?"

These are the numbers of patients that BHRI has treated in the Inpatient Rehabilitation Program in each diagnostic group in the past year:

• Stroke - 304
• Brain Injury - 97
• Orthopedics - 660
• Cardiac - 146
• Spinal Cord Injury - 116
• Amputation - 45
• General Disability - 151

"How long has your center been treating patients with my diagnosis?"

BHRI has provided quality treatment for rehabilitation patients in all of the above diagnostic groups since 1974.

"Does your facility have any special rehabilitation certification?"

The following programs at BHRI are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF): Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Outpatient Rehabilitation, and Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation. BHRI is also accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and approved by the Arkansas Department of Health as a comprehensive Physical Rehabilitation Hospital.

"Will my physician be a Rehabilitation Specialist?"

All BHRI admitting physicians who direct the rehabilitation therapy are qualified Physiatrists who are specialists in Rehabilitation Medicine.

"Is a physician available on site 24 hours a day?"

Yes. BHRI always has a physician on site.

"How do you measure the quality of your programs? Do you have current data comparing you to other facilities?"

BHRI participates in two programs which give us comparisons against national averages each quarter. The first is patient satisfaction. Each patient receives a satisfaction survey following discharge. Results from these surveys are compared to over 100 other rehabilitation facilities in the United States. The second relates to clinical outcomes. Things such as length of stay, discharge destination, cost, and functional improvement are compared to outcomes from approximately 500 other centers in the nation. We will be happy to share the most current data in both of these areas upon request.

"Is the Rehabilitation Team regular staff or consultants?"

All of the nurses and therapists at BHRI are BAPTIST HEALTH employees. We do not utilize consultants or contract staff in these positions.

"May my family and I have a tour of your facility?"

Yes. To arrange a tour please call (501) 202-7011 or 1-800-262-0054.

"May my family attend therapy with me?"

Yes. We encourage family members and care givers to attend therapy sessions at any time.

"What are the criteria to be admitted into one of your inpatient programs?"

The primary criteria are: 1. The patient and family have realistic rehabilitation goals, 2. The patient would benefit from a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation program by requiring at least two rehabilitation disciplines. These disciplines may include rehabilitation nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech-language pathology.

"How many patients is each therapist expected to work with each day?"

This number varies slightly depending on the program. The general expectation is that each therapist work with 6 or 7 patients each day.

"How will my family and I be involved in setting my goals and planning my treatment?"

At BHRI, we believe that patient and family participation in all aspects of the program are critical for successful outcomes. Therefore, patients and family are asked to contribute specific goals at the beginning of their rehabilitation program and have significant input into all therapy programs throughout their stay.

"Are there educational and/or support groups within the facility?"

BHRI sponsors a monthly Brain Injury Support Group and Stroke Support Group which are for Brain Injury and Stroke survivors as well as their family, friends and care givers. There is also a Quarterly Support Group for Spinal Cord Injury survivors. Patient and family education and peer support are primary components of all of the BHRI inpatient programs. For more information, see: Spinal Cord Injury Peer Support, Spinal Cord Injury Education Program, Brain Injury Education Program.

"What can I do if I am dissatisfied with anything while I am at your facility?"

At BHRI patient and family satisfaction is extremely important to us. In fact, it is our number one goal! Therefore, we give all of our patients and their family members several options to communicate any dissatisfaction to us so that we can take care of it.

•  A representative of our administrative staff will visit you on the day of your admission and will leave a business card. They will tell you how to contact them.
  
•  There is always a nursing supervisor on duty. We encourage patients to simply ask for the supervisor if they are dissatisfied with any aspect of their care.
  
•  Our Care Coordinators check in with each patient every day. They are our primary patient and family advocates and can assist you in solving problems and dealing with any areas of dissatisfaction.
  
•  An Administrative Hot Line is open 24 hours a day which enables you to leave a message for the BHRI Administrator or speak directly to the Administrator on call.

"What is the average length of stay?"

This will vary depending on the patient's diagnosis. A person with a knee replacement may spend as little as four days in our program. Those with spinal cord or brain injuries may be an inpatient in rehabilitation for sixty days or more. The overall average length of stay is approximately two weeks.

"Will a team member be assigned to coordinate discharge arrangements and act as a contact for staff, physicians and family members?"

Yes. Your Care Coordinator will serve this function.

"What are your discharge criteria and what assistance will I have in planning my discharge?"

The basic discharge criteria at BHRI are that the patient has met his goals or the need for intense treatment has decreased. Care Coordinators will assist you with discharge arrangements. For more information on therapy options following discharge click on BAPTIST HEALTH Rehabilitation Institute Outpatient Therapy Program.