FORT SMITH, Ark., April 9, 2021– Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Smith recently achieved Disease-Specific Care Certification for its stroke rehabilitation program from The Joint Commission. The Gold Seal of Approval^® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.

The inpatient rehabilitation hospital underwent a rigorous survey. During the review, a Joint Commission expert surveyor evaluated compliance with disease certification standards. The surveyor also conducted virtual observations and interviews.

The Joint Commission has accredited hospitals for more than 60 years. More than 4,000 general, children’s, long-term acute, psychiatric, rehabilitation and specialty hospitals currently maintain accreditation from The Joint Commission.

“Encompass Health Fort Smith is pleased to receive recertification from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” said Dawn Watts, CEO of Encompass Health Fort Smith. “Staff from across the organization continue to work together to develop and implement approaches that have the potential to improve rehabilitative care for the patients in our community.”

The Joint Commission’s hospital standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help hospitals measure, assess and improve performance.

Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability and the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. Studies indicate 60 percent of stroke survivors can benefit from comprehensive rehabilitation. Eighty percent of patients receiving this level of therapy return to their homes, work, schools or active retirement, according to the National Rehabilitation Caucus.

Encompass Health Fort Smith provides patients with an individualized treatment plan that includes physical, occupational and speech therapies. With at least three hours of comprehensive therapy for five days each week and around-the-clock nursing care, teams of expert clinicians target the side effects of stroke which can include weakness or partial paralysis, speech and swallowing difficulties, trouble with balance and movement and difficulties with grasping.

According to the recent adult stroke rehabilitation guidelines released by the American Heart Association, whenever possible, stroke patients should be treated at an in-patient rehabilitation facility rather than a skilled nursing facility. While at an in-patient rehabilitation facility, a patient participates in at least three hours of rehabilitation a day from physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists. Nurses are continuously available and doctors typically visit daily.

About Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Smith

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Smith is an 80-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital that offers comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services. Serving patients throughout Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, the hospital is located at 1401 South J Street and on the Web at encompasshealth.com/fortsmithrehab.

About Encompass Health

As a national leader in integrated healthcare services, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facility‑based and home‑based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that includes 139 hospitals, 241 home health locations, and 82 hospice locations in 39 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high‑quality, cost-effective integrated healthcare. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit , or follow us on our newsroom,Twitter and Facebook.