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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6/14/2002

Helene King 410-601-2296

Levindale Receives Stellar marks on Rehabilitation Accreditation Survey

Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, a LifeBridge Health center, has been informed by the The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), that it was accredited for a period of three years for its medical rehabilitation programs, which includes comprehensive integrated inpatient rehabilitation programs.

This accreditation outcome, which represents the highest level of accreditation, is awarded to organizations that show substantial fulfillment of the standards established by CARF. To receive a three-year accreditation, an organization must undergo rigorous peer review and demonstrate that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable and accountable. In Levindale's case, the survey was extraordinary because there were no recommendations for improvement in any areas.

"In the provision of care that demonstrates value, there is exemplary performance,” wrote Marge F. Gibbons, Ed.D., administrative surveyor, and Carol VonCloedt Wood, Ph.D., program surveyor in their six-page report. They continued their praise: "The Recreation Department's offerings demonstrate the focus on the persons served, and the inpatient respiratory rehabilitation program is innovative and highly relevant to the populations served. It could easily be a flagship program, and the organization is encouraged to share the results of its work with the medical community."

The report contained numerous areas of commendation, including the implementation Eden Alternative principles, which incorporate animals, plants and children into the programming; outstanding recognition of executive and medical leadership; and the inclusion of dietary clinicians as an integral part of the Rehabilitation team. "Naturally, we are proud of this outcome,” said Ron Rothstein, President and COO of Levindale. "Our exceptional team deserves accolades for ensuring that patients receive the highest quality care,” he added. Amy Lafko, director of Rehabilitation at Levindale, likewise credited her excellent team: "The Rehab team is truly worthy of the flawless survey, and we will continue to build on our services.”

Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital is a nonprofit health care facility that has provided care for the elderly since 1891. It is comprised of a nursing home with 172 comprehensive care beds; 20 subacute beds; a 26-bed dementia care unit; a 100-bed specialty hospital consisting of 20 geropsychiatric beds, 20 complex medical beds, 20 comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation beds and a 40-bed complex medical/respiratory care unit. In 2000, Levindale merged with Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home, a 151-bed facility in Baltimore County. Additional services include adult day care, independent senior housing and community outreach.Levindale is part of LifeBridge Health, a regional health organization that also includes Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Northwest Hospital Center, Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home and related subsidiaries and affiliates.

CARF is an independent not-for-profit accrediting body promoting quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Since 1966, CARF has established consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

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