Resource Bank
CARF releases consumer guide and accreditation resources
Guide simplifies decision process for patients
Case managers often help clients make informed decisions about providers and treatment options. The Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in Tucson, AZ, recently released How to Choose a Provider — a Guide From CARF, a brochure that will simplify the task of helping clients and their families make decisions about selecting appropriate rehabilitation care or other services.
In a checklist format, the brochure suggests questions that patients and their families might ask to help make an informed and appropriate choice of providers. The questions help consumers determine if the provider’s services match their needs, and analyze impressions when visiting a provider for the first time.
The brochure is available in both English and Spanish. Single copies of the brochure are sent at no charge to individuals who request a copy by calling the CARF office at (520) 325-1044, or writing to CARF, 4891 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712. Requests should include a mailing address and whether an English or Spanish version is preferred.
If you wish to preview the brochure, the text is also available online at www.carf.org/CARF/Consumer.htm in English or www.carf.org/CARF/ConsumerSpanish.htm for the Spanish version. Bulk purchases of the brochure are also available to organizations to distribute. Ordering information for bulk orders can be found online at www.carf.org/Publications/Catalog.htm.
Accreditation help near you
Rehabilitation facilities preparing for CARF accreditation should check out these 21/2-day regional seminars coming to four cities in 2001. Called "CARF 101s," the seminars are designed to help organizations prepare their medical rehabilitation services for CARF accreditation, including help meeting CARF’s new case management standards, and to provide guidance for improving the quality and value of their services.
The $425 seminars provide an overview of the CARF accreditation process and a comprehensive review of each section of the newly published 2001 Medical Rehabilitation Standards Manual, including specific program standards. Dates and sites for regional seminars in 2001 are:
- April 2-4 at the Doubletree Colonnade in Baltimore;
- June 13-15 at the Le Meridien in Dallas;
- Sept. 10-12 at the Embassy Suites Hotel at the Orlando Airport in Orlando;
- Oct. 15-17 at the Sheraton Arlington Park in Chicago.
The cost of the seminar includes a copy of the 2001 standards manual. Space is limited and early registration is recommended.
Next best thing
If you can’t attend one of CARF’s regional seminars, you can take the self-study approach and request the newly released 2001 Medical Rehabilitation Survey Preparation Guide. The guide accompanies the 2001 standards manual and contains all the standards that will be applied on surveys beginning July 1, 2001. The new format for the survey guide is available in both print and CD-ROM versions, and provides a survey toolbox for understanding the intent of the CARF standards. The guide includes grids and checklists not available in previous versions.
The 2001 Medical Rehabilitation Survey Preparation Guide (item #5125.40) costs $80 plus shipping and handling for the print version, and $150 plus shipping and handling for the CD-ROM version (item #5125.19). A set of both print and CD-ROM versions (item #5125.20) costs $220 plus shipping and handling.
The 2001 Medical Rehabilitation Standards Manual (item #5110.40) costs $160 plus shipping and handling. The compact Medical Rehabilitation Standards Manual — Standards Only Edition, which does not contain the intent statements found in the full-size manual, makes a convenient referencing resource and is sold only in combination with the full-size manual for a cost of $280 plus shipping and handling for the set (item #5110.73).
Other companion publications available for 2001 include:
• Medical Rehabilitation Standards Conformance Checklist (item #5115.40), $40 plus shipping and handling. This was originally designed as a surveyor’s tool and provides a method for tracking conformance to each standard.
• Medical Rehabilitation Standards Audiotape (item #5170.14), $25 plus shipping and handling. This audio tape is designed as a staff education tool to update key personnel on changes made to the standards in the past two years.
• 2001 Accreditation Sourcebook (item #5105.70), $65 plus shipping and handling. This resource is designed for organizations new to accreditation. It includes survey preparation timetables.
A downloadable publications catalog is available at www.carf.org/Publications/Catalog.htm. A printed catalog and order form can be requested by calling (520) 325-1044, and then pressing "3" on the main menu.
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content