VAPAHCS Blind Rehabilitation Services Soar During Recent CARF Survey



Image: CARF International Logo


The VAPAHCS Blind Rehabilitation Service is proud to announce that we participated in a three day survey by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) August 3^rd-8^th, 2011.  The CARF representatives completed a thorough survey of our Blind Rehabilitation Services including a facility inspection, interviews with students and staff, examination of standards, memorandum, and policies, review of inpatient and outpatient programming, quality of services provided, etc. 

During the exit briefing the team leader and administrative surveyor Dolores Nickel and the program surveyor Mike Townsend began the session congratulating the staff - There were NO recommendations noted and 100 % compliance with all CARF standards met.

The exit briefing consisted of outlining the many strengths they found in the program.  Of note, the surveyors commented on:

·   The exemplary staff.  They noted the diversity of experience and the dedication of the staff to the mission and Veteran-Family centered care.  They commented on the dignity and the respect shown to the Veterans. They noted an exemplary culture of teamwork and how much the staff clearly liked their jobs.

·  The high degree of satisfaction of the Veterans interviewed with the program.  Veterans and their families described their experience as “magical, transformational, eye-opening”.  One Veteran commented that he wished he could “rate the magic that occurred here”. 

·  The cutting edge innovations they encountered in every program including the use of assistive technologies, the CNVR program and the leadership in research and the training program.

·  The continuous improvement culture- improvement being a part of everyday work and the exemplary outcomes measurement.

·  The clean and inviting environment of care.

·  The quality of the leadership.

What is CARF?

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) provides accreditation services worldwide at the request of health and human service providers.  Through accreditation, CARF assists service providers in improving the quality of their services, demonstrating value, and meeting internationally recognized organizational and program standards.

The accreditation process applies sets of standards to service areas and business practices during an on-site survey. Accreditation is an ongoing process, signaling to the public that a service provider is committed to continuously improving services, encouraging feedback, and serving the community. Accreditation also demonstrates a provider's commitment to enhance its performance and distinguish its service delivery. 

CLICK HERE for a link to the CARF INTERNATIONAL Website