The Studer Group has selected Shands Rehab Hospital as the February 2007 recipient of the Fire Starter of the Month Award. As defined by Studer, Fire Starters keep the true essence of an organization alive and flourishing and ignite the flame that guides and supports the organization.

The award represents Shands Rehab Hospital's employees' demonstrated commitment to improving service and operational results.

The Shands Rehab Hospital management team has succeeded in exceeding its budgetary margins while providing excellent patient care, decreasing employee turnover and improving employee satisfaction. By implementing Studer Group principles and tools and focusing on goals and the commitment of leaders and staff, Shands Rehab Hospital achieved the following successes. “We are proud to receive this recognition,” said administrator, Marina Cecchini. “It is gratifying to see our staff honored for the special qualities they demonstrate every day by putting the patient’s needs first.”

Service

• Shands Rehab Hospital achieved overall quality of care satisfaction scores at the 100th percentile for each quarter of Fiscal Year 2006 from Professional Research Consultants (PRC). In addition, the hospital received the PRC 5-Star Award. This award is given annually to a healthcare facility or inpatient specialty care unit that scores in the top 10 percent (at or above the 90th percentile) of the national client database. It is based on the percentage of patients who rate the facility or unit as “excellent” for the Overall Quality of Care question.
• Employees provided more than 20 presentations to community groups including high schools and retirement communities.

Quality

• Shands Rehab Hospital achieved full Joint Commission accreditation.
• The hospital achieved full Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation with no RFIs and 11 areas of exemplary performance.
• A successful Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program (BSCIP) survey was completed.

Finance

• Shands Rehab Hospital exceeded its budgetary operating margin.
• Leaders managed operating expenses $410,000 under budget.

People

• Nurse vacancy rates were decreased from 21 percent to 2.8 percent.
• The nurse (RN) turnover rate was decreased to eight percent, a best practice level.
• 81 percent employee engagement index
• 94 percent of employees would refer a friend/family member to work at Shands Rehab Hospital.
• 95 percent of employees responded that they like the work they do.
• 91 percent of employees indicated they think the organization has an outstanding future.

Growth

• The hospital set an admission record in Fiscal Year 2006.

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