The Amputee Coalition has announced a peer support affiliation agreement with The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas.
The clinical treatment team of the hospital’s amputee therapy program is a designated center of excellence, in particular for its work with patients with upper-limb and multiple amputations. The hospital will use Coalition materials and guidelines for peer visitation and will have an official staff trainer for peer visitors. The Coalition will assist in integrating the program, training staff, and providing materials.
“This affiliation agreement recognizes the committed work we’re engaged in here at TIRR,” said Carl Josehart, CEO of TIRR Memorial Hermann. “We are honored to be the first hospital in the Southwest to be affiliated with the Amputee Coalition. We hope that our partnership will serve as an example to others, so that we can help more amputee patients in this region.”
“This agreement is a win-win for everyone,” said Sue Stout, the Coalition’s chief policy and programs officer. “Those who benefit the most from this relationship will be patients of the TIRR Memorial Hermann as it will set the system in place to ensure that every patient who wants a peer visit will be able to get one.”
The Coalition said it will be seeking agreements with other hospitals around the country, focusing attention on Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accredited rehabilitation facilities. CARF supports the Amputee Coalition peer support program, and embedding the Coalition program will help rehabilitation facilities meet some of the CARF accreditation standards.
