CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital Earns Multiple CARF Accreditations for Inpatient Rehabilitation Services

August 31, 2021

Lake Charles, Louisiana – The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) recently announced CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital has been accredited for a period of 3 years for its Inpatient Rehabilitation and Stroke Specialty programs. CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick’s Inpatient Rehabilitation program has received continuous 3-year accreditation since 1993. However, this is the first time for the hospital’s Stroke Specialty program to apply for and receive a 3-year accreditation.

“Our team is very excited about achieving these accreditations, primarily due to the struggles our region has faced. Between battling COVID-19 and two hurricanes, we were still able to demonstrate a commitment to quality to those that we serve,” said Erin Rhoads, Director of Rehabilitation, CHRISTUS Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana.

Obtaining accreditation is a testament to CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital’s commitment to continuous quality improvement through a focus on efficiency, fiscal health and positive patient outcomes. It is achieved through a process that includes a continuous internal examination of the rehabilitation practices and an on-site survey and evaluation to ensure alignment of rigorous and internationally recognized CARF standards. The Inpatient Rehabilitation program at CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital is the only CARF-accredited program in the region. The nearest CARF accredited Inpatient Rehab units are in Hammond and Shreveport in Louisiana or Houston, Texas.

Because of COVID restrictions some of the outcome measures and research studies used to achieve accreditation had to be changed, and the rehabilitation team quickly adapted.

“The team’s commitment to their patients truly helped us to be successful during a time when their focus could have easily shifted elsewhere,” said Rhoads.

The Stroke Specialty Program expands on the CARF Inpatient Rehabilitation accreditation. It signifies the additional research and quality improvement initiatives related specifically to stroke CHRISTUS Ochsner Inpatient Rehab has implemented. It affirms patient care provided in the stroke program is focused on quality and positive outcomes for patients. Outcomes are tracked during the patient’s stay and after discharge so that improved methods and strategies can be made to the program in an effort to provide the highest level of care to stroke patients. The nearest rehab hospitals with a CARF Stroke Specialty program are Hammond in Louisiana and Dallas in Texas.

“Our team is focused on helping our patients to achieve their personal goals so that they can successfully return to their normal activities,” said Rhoads.

Receiving care at a CARF-accredited rehabilitation facility means patients, their families and caregivers don’t have to travel far to receive high-quality rehabilitation and care. These certifications affirm CHRISTUS Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana’s exceptional competency in providing a quality of rehabilitative care that is unmatched in the region.