Patient Satisfaction and Outcomes
ACUTE INPATIENT 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
The Rusk Outcomes Management System: At the Rusk Institute we use a patient-centered
method to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of our inpatient treatment programs.
Our programs are effective if our patients learn to function more independently and are able to return to the community after discharge. We measure how efficient our programs are by
tracking how long it takes to accomplish these results.
Periodic Monitoring: On admission all patients are evaluated by the team, their physician, nurses, and therapists. Treatment goals are developed jointly with the patient and the team. During the stay, this team of professionals monitors and continually documents patient progress in all areas. To measure how independently patients function, we also use a rehabilitation-focused instrument called the FIM™, or Functional Independence Measure.
Measuring Functional Improvement, Length of Stay, and Discharge Status: The Rusk Institute strives to provide rehabilitation services that will help our patients function more independently. The charts summarize this information for patients with various impairments who received treatment during 2008. Increase in ability to function independently is measured using the FIM™. The rehab team rates patients’ performance in 18 activities covering self-care, locomotion, mobility, sphincter control, and cognition. The FIM™ score is the total of the ratings on these 18 items. The higher the score, the more independently an individual is able to function. The changes in the FIM™ scores between admission and discharge show that, as a result of inpatient treatment, patients show higher overall levels of independence in functioning at discharge. Length of stay usually depends on the how much progress a patient is making and varies depending on the impairment. Most patients are able to return home after their treatment at Rusk.
Overall Patient Satisfaction Remains High: All patients receive a survey in the mail within 1-2 weeks after discharge, in which they are asked to rate how satisfied they were with the services received while they were at Rusk. All patients discharged during 2008 were mailed surveys and 27% responded. Most of the patients who answered told us they were highly satisfied with their Rusk inpatient stay.
The Patient Representative: At the Rusk Institute we practice a patient-centered approach to treatment. We are very proud of how we care for patients, but sometimes problems occur. The Patient Representative is someone you or your family can call to help you with non-medical problems or questions during your stay. They advocate for you in helping to resolve issues by working closely with all departments in the hospital. They can also be of assistance if you have special needs or concerns. They can be contacted at ext. 36906.
Comments from our Patients:
“I have the greatest admiration and complete trust in my rehab doctor!!!”
“Just having the doctor visits every day made me feel I was being taken care of when I was very sick.”
"Nurses went above and beyond the call of duty to help me feel comfortable and all needs were met.”
"Nurses’ assistants were great and deserve a big voice of thanks. Always there and helpful with a big smile.”
“The therapists made me feel that I could do what they asked me to do and had been afraid to do all my life. They were right.”
“Each individual was professional, courteous, and very patient with all my questions.”
“Therapists were AMAZING!”
"Very helpful on preparing me to go home.”
"Recreation Therapy is important – gave me an opportunity to learn new skills and meet others.”
“My psychologist was helpful on so many levels. She helped make my therapy the success it was.”
“Every detail of discharge and health care was explained and attended to.”
“Discharge and post-discharge was handled excellently by social worker.”
“I was given all the care I needed physically, mentally, and spiritually.”
“You operate at the highest level of professionalism, care and performance possible.”
