Scripps Encinitas Re-Accredited for Brain Injury Treatment and Stroke Rehabilitation

San Diego – Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas has earned full re-accreditation in the areas of Inpatient Rehabilitation, Brain Injury, Stroke Services and Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation for Brain Injury by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) — the gold standard for medical rehabilitation facilities. The hospital earned the distinction after the commission conducted their survey on April 16 and 17, 2009. The re-accreditation survey outcome was reported this week.

Scripps Encinitas Rehabilitation Center is also entrusted by the United States military with care of returning service personnel’s combat-related traumatic brain injuries.

In addition, Scripps Encinitas is the only facility in Southern California that offers both inpatient and outpatient brain injury programs for adults and adolescents, and the only location in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties that has both The Joint Commission (TJC) — the best known of a large number of active health care accreditation groups in the U.S. — and CARF accreditation for stroke patients from the emergency department through rehabilitation.

The three-year accreditation is valid from June 2009 through June 2012, following a previous accreditation that was acquired in June 2006.

Since 1987, the Rehabilitation Center at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas has served as the only comprehensive rehabilitation facility in northern San Diego County, providing a full range of quality inpatient and outpatient care.

Scripps Encinitas is home to the first CARF-accredited brain injury program in the San Diego, Imperial and Riverside Counties and the first Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center and CARF-accredited stroke rehabilitation program.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of long-term disability in adults, so when a stroke occurs, immediate, expert care is essential.

Scripps Encinitas is home to North County’s first Primary Stroke Center, as accredited by The Joint Commission. Joint Commission certification demonstrates a commitment to stringent national quality standards for significantly improving outcomes for stroke patients.

The certifications and accreditations signify that the services provided have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes.

Physicians, nurses and other medical staff are specially trained to identify the symptoms of stroke and are able to administer the latest treatments, 24/7. This emergency department, through rehabilitation certification achieved by Scripps Encinitas, is the only hospital in three counties to have both The Joint Commission (TJC) and CARF accreditation for this door-to-door type of program.

The Rehabilitation Center’s mission is to utilize a dynamic, innovative rehabilitation process, promote health and wellness through holistic means and meet the comprehensive health needs of the regional community.

The neurosciences department specializes in conditions related to the brain, spine and peripheral nerves. Scripps Encinitas provides a full range of neurologic and neurosurgical care, including diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for a variety of neurological diseases and disorders including stroke, brain and spinal chord injuries, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

The multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons draws from a wide range of expertise to accurately diagnose and treat neuromuscular and neurological diseases.

Scripps Encinitas neurodiagnostic specialists provide specialized care, and the most advanced technology, including state-of-the-art EEG, evoked potentials, MRI, CT scans, interventional radiology and nuclear medicine procedures. The team can handle even the most complicated spinal and brain surgical procedures.

Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas is one of five acute care hospital campuses in the Scripps Health system, a nonprofit health care organization based in San Diego, California. In 2008 and 2009, Scripps was named a “100 Best Companies to Work For” by Fortune magazine.

Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas is North San Diego County’s first certified primary stroke center, first World Health Organization-designated Baby Friendly Hospital, and the only CARF-accredited Brain Injury program in San Diego, Imperial and Riverside Counties.

Scripps Encinitas offers a full-range of clinical and surgical services, including 24-hour emergency services; intensive care; cancer/oncology; orthopedics; neurology; urology; ophthalmology; a Level II neonatal nursery; award-winning OB/GYN and maternal and infant health services; and an ambulatory surgery center.

With more than 600 physicians, over 1,300 employees and 142 beds, Scripps Encinitas has served the growing communities of San Diego’s North County since 1978.