For the sixteenth year, MossRehab has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading rehabilitation facilities in the 2009-2010 U.S.News & World Report magazine survey of “America’s Best Hospitals.”

“We are honored that MossRehab has again been ranked among the top rehabilitation hospitals in the country,” said Ruth Lefton, Chief Operating Officer, MossRehab.  “Our physicians and staff work hard everyday to deliver the highest level of care to our patients, and the recognition in U.S.News & World Report, based on recommendations submitted by the country’s top physiatrists, affirms and celebrates their commitment.”

As in previous years, the rankings for rehabilitation were based on reputation alone. Research firm RTI International surveyed a random sample of board-certified physiatrists to determine which rehab providers in the nation are best able to handle the most challenging cases and procedures. MossRehab was one of the most frequently named providers.

A Year of Distinction

Because of its comprehensive range of rehabilitative services, and a clinical and research team of world-class experts in rehabilitation medicine, MossRehab has earned a global reputation for comprehensive clinical rehabilitation and research programs.

“MossRehab is dedicated to providing the latest and most effective therapeutic technologies and interventions to help patients recover and, ultimately, to improve their quality of life,” said Alberto Esquenazi, MD, Chief Medical Officer, MossRehab.  “Our leadership in medical research and innovation in rehabilitation treatments, combined with a world-class clinical staff, enable us to deliver optimal functional outcomes and an overall positive experience for patients.”

Over the past year, MossRehab has adopted several new clinical technologies and has begun using them in the course of treatment. Patients relearning how to walk are assisted by the Lokomat™, a robotic exoskeleton mounted above a treadmill, while patients with balance disorders benefit from the SMART Balance Master®, a visual biofeedback device that measures how well the eyes, the inner ear, muscles and joints work together to maintain balance. MossRehab also recently announced it is the exclusive site for U.S. clinical trails of ReWalk™, the first commercially viable upright device that enables paralyzed individuals to stand, walk, and climb stairs.  The U.S. trials are being led by Alberto Esquenazi, MD, who was also instrumental in the development of ReWalk.

MossRehab is one of only a few rehabilitation hospitals in the nation to house an internationally recognized research institute dedicated to the study of cognitive and mobility problems and their rehabilitation. In 2008, Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute received the second largest amount of NIH funding for rehabilitation research among both rehabilitation hospitals and university PM&R departments nationwide. The members of MRRI have embarked on a variety of exciting projects over the past year, including a study of the effect of the sleeping drug zolpidem on minimally conscious patients, the establishment of a center dedicated to studying attention problems after right hemisphere stroke, and a comparative study of TBI treatment times and outcomes in the United States and Denmark.

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, or CARF, awarded MossRehab three-year accreditation for a total of 15 of its programs. MossRehab has more CARF-accredited programs than any other 2009 “Best Hospital,”  including Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Spauling Rehabilitation Hospital. Moss’ FY09 Functional Independence Measure™ scores significantly exceeded regional and national averages for almost every type of disability treated. Most of MossRehab’s patients achieved these functional gains in a reasonable length of stay and were significantly more likely to be discharged to their homes, as opposed to another healthcare facility.

To learn more about MossRehab, call 1-800-CALL MOSS or visit www.mossrehab.com.