PHOENIX [Oct. 4, 2022] — Phoenix Children's, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, has received a pair of three-year accreditations from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in the specialties of Inpatient Rehabilitation Pediatric Specialty Program and Brain Injury Specialty Program. Phoenix Children’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Program is the only pediatric and adolescent program in the state. CARF International is an independent nonprofit accreditor of health and human services aimed at raising care standards for service providers.
"We're thrilled to achieve these accreditations. This means our program has been measured against international best practices, and we have exceeded those benchmarks,” said Laura Wilner, MD, division chief of physical medicine and rehabilitation and medical director of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Program at Phoenix Children's. “Having this stamp of approval can be a sign to parents and caregivers that their children with conditions resulting from illness, injury or chronic disabilities are getting the best possible inpatient rehabilitation care when they come to Phoenix Children’s. There are no other pediatric and adolescent programs in the state with this accreditation.”
Phoenix Children's latest accreditations reflects the rehabilitation team’s longstanding commitment to safe, quality care. The CARF accreditation process starts with an extensive self-evaluation to measure the health system’s practices against CARF standards. Then, industry peers conduct an on-site survey, taking a consultative approach to organizational practices and documentation. Accreditation decisions are rendered in tandem with a health system’s quality improvement plans; accredited institutions also submit Conformance to Quality reports annually through the accredited term.
"When a child has gone through a trauma or is coping with a chronic disability, it can be a vulnerable and scary experience for the whole family,” said Ted Fehl, manager, inpatient rehabilitation unit at Phoenix Children's. “We’re here to provide the best possible care, to ensure complete healing and to help the child get back to their normal routine as quickly and safely as possible.”
Phoenix Children’s inpatient rehabilitation unit offers 12 private rooms and is part of the Frances H. McClelland Pediatric Rehabilitation Department at Phoenix Children's, the largest pediatric rehabilitation department in the state. The program treats patients from across the region who require intensive inpatient rehabilitation for complex medical conditions, including children who require ventilator assistance.
About Phoenix Children’s
Phoenix Children’s is one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems. It comprises Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Thomas Campus, Phoenix Children’s Hospital – East Valley at Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, four pediatric specialty and urgent care centers, 11 community pediatric practices, 20 outpatient clinics, two ambulatory surgery centers and seven community-service-related outpatient clinics throughout the state of Arizona. The system provides world-class inpatient, outpatient, trauma, emergency and urgent care and has been serving children and families for nearly 40 years. Phoenix Children’s Care Network includes more than 1,175 pediatric primary care providers and specialists who deliver care across more than 75 subspecialties. For more information, visit phoenixchildrens.org.
