Maggie McKay (Host): When you're in the hospital for a procedure, probably the last thing on your mind is whether that hospital is accredited, but it is an important question to ask before you go. So today, RN and Administrator for Rehabilitation Services at Palmdale Regional Medical Center, Veronica Gadomski, will explain what the CARF Accreditation is and why it's important. This is Palmdale Regional Radio, a podcast from Palmdale Regional Medical Center. Today we're discussing Palmdale Regional's Rehabilitation Institute, it's CARF accreditation and what that means for you. So just to start off, Veronica, it's so great to have you here to explain this, because I'm sure most people you know not in the hospital or medical world know what it is, so I cannot wait to hear more about it.

What is the CARF accreditation?

Veronica Gadomski, RN, CRRN: Okay, so first off, CARF stands for Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and they are an independent non-profit accrediting body. And CARF Accreditation is the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an acute rehabilitation unit. And this is accomplished through a rigorous onsite survey process.

It's a volunteer program and so it's something that we sought out, because we believe that we provide exceptional rehabilitative care to the community that we serve. And through the accreditation process, we can have that acknowledged and validated by a team of experts in our field.

So, being CARF Accredited means that we're not only doing what is required of us, but going above and beyond what is expected to provide the best care that we can. So we're very proud to have been awarded this distinction.

Host: Absolutely. You mentioned that it's rigorous to go through the process of getting this. What is the criteria for getting the accreditation? Does it take years or how many hospitals in your area have it?

Veronica Gadomski, RN, CRRN: There are no hospitals in the Antelope Valley that have this. And the CARF survey process takes an intensive look at all components of our program. There are hundreds of standards that we need to meet to be able to receive this certification. And so a survey team comes in and they are looking at the efficiency of your program, the outcomes of your services, the satisfaction with your services. So, the survey includes interviewing the staff members, interviewing current and former patients and their families. They're observing our practices. They're reviewing documentation, they're looking at the environment of care. So it's just a very in-depth process. It was a tremendous amount of work to prepare for the survey and many, many months of preparation.

But the survey experience was very rewarding, and educational, for the entire team, and of course the end result, you know, was absolutely worth it. We had an outstanding survey. I think the real beauty of the survey for me is that it was very consultative. So more collaborative and as I said, educational. At the end of the survey, during the exit with the survey team and with our administration and the whole rehab team, we've received a lot of positive feedback on our rehab program and, we have an amazing team of talented and dedicated physicians and therapists and nurses, and other support staff that were able to talk to the surveyors about what they are passionate about.

And so to receive that kind of feedback from the experts in our field was empowering, for all of us, as we continue our journey to excellence.

Host: I can imagine. Veronica, it sounds like the process to get there is somewhat like being audited by the IRS, a little bit.

Veronica Gadomski, RN, CRRN: Yes, yes.

Host: Why is CARF Accreditation important for the Rehabilitation Institute?

Veronica Gadomski, RN, CRRN: CARF Accreditation is important for the Rehabilitation Institute because it takes us to the next level. It's more than a certificate on the wall. It puts us among the elite providers across the nation. We're always looking to provide the best services, to improve our program, to continually be better. And the CARF standards provide a roadmap for us to continue to strive to do that, and it just sets us up to be successful.

Host: That's wonderful. Why is CARF important to the community?

Veronica Gadomski, RN, CRRN: The seal of approval from CARF is something that the community can look for, and know that they are coming to a facility where they're going to receive quality care, both from a medical standpoint and a rehabilitation services standpoint. You don't have to leave the Antelope Valley, you don't have to leave your family to get rehab services outside.

They can be assured that their unique needs are going to be met, because our facility has been tested and reviewers have said that yes, this unit meets these specific requirements. So when you choose us for your rehabilitation, you know you're going to receive compassionate care from an expert team of physicians, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, nurses.

We have great support staff, a clinical care coordinator. Our liaisons that are all working together to maximize the patient's function and independence and return that patient back to the community and independent living.

Host: If you'd like to find out more, please visit palmdaleregional.com/aru. Thank you so much for being here, Veronica. That was so interesting. I never even knew anything about this, so it was, very enlightening and educational.

Veronica Gadomski, RN, CRRN: Thank you for having me.

Host: Again, that's RN Veronica Gadomski, and that concludes another episode of Palmdale Regional Radio with Palmdale Regional Medical Center. Please visit our website at palmdaleregional.com for more information and to get connected with one of our providers. Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and all the other Palmdale Regional Medical Center podcasts. For more health tips and updates, follow us on your social channels. Please share your social media and be sure to check out all the other interesting podcasts in our library. Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Palmdale Regional Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. This is Palmdale Regional Radio, a podcast from Palmdale Regional Medical Center. Thank you for listening.