General Information
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center has been one of America's rehabilitation leaders for more than half a century. Our teams of highly qualified rehabilitation experts blend unmatched experience with the latest advanced technology and the creative spirit that has led to many important advances in the art and science of rehabilitation medicine. Learn more about us.
RANKED AMONG THE TOP REHAB HOSPITALS
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center has been ranked by U.S.News & World Report as one of "America's Best Hospitals 2009-10" for Rehabilitation. This recognition underscores the dedication and excellence of Rancho's patient care teams. Rancho was the only rehabilitation hospital in California or its neighboring states to be named to the Top 20 in the annual survey.
THE ART OF RANCHO - NOV 6
Experience the extraordinary works of nearly 50 Rancho "graduate" artists, many of whom have achieved national and international acclaim at the 13th Annual Art of Rancho Exhibition on Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Support Services Annex. Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served beginning at 6 p.m. Guests are requested to dress in business or after-five attire. Please RSVP by October 29 by phone at (562) 401-7651 or fax at (562) 401-6148. Attendance is limited to persons age 12 and over.
WHAT'S NEW IN NEUROLOGIC REHABILIATION - NOV 14
With an all-start line up, Rancho presents Where we are, where we've been and where we need to go in neurologic rehabilitation. Conference presenters include: Dr. Mindy Aisen, Dr. Helena Chui, Dr. Bruce Dobkin, Dr. David Millett, Dr. Sara Mulroy, Dr. Phil Requejo, Dr. Michael Scott, Dr. Susan Shaw, Lilli Thompson, PT, Dr. Amytis Towfighi and Dr. Carolee Winstein on Saturday, November 14, 2009 in the Support Services Annex.KNOWBARRIERS PATIENT ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM
KnowBarriers offers life experience and clinical expertise, to assist persons with disabilities, in developing the confidence and skills they need to move forward in their lives and achieve their life goals. Programs include Life Coaching, Peer Mentoring, Information and Referral, Violence Prevention Outreach and Substance Abuse Recovery. KnowBarriers has made a tremendous impact on the lives of patients at Rancho Los Amigos. To learn more about their Success Stories and the KnowBarriers programs, visit their web site at www.KnowBarriers.org.
L.A. CARE AND RANCHO LOS AMIGOS BRIDGE THE LANGUAGE BARRIER
L.A. Care grant helps patients with limited English proficiency
during medical visits
Los Angeles, Calif., August 27, 2008
Nearly one in three Los Angeles County residents face a language barrier which makes communication difficult in medical settings. In 2008, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center expanded their Video Medical Interpreter (VMI) system – a system that provides quick and easy on-screen access to interpreter services for patients who have limited English proficiency (LEP) – with a $1 million grant provided by L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest public health plan, through the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Read the full story.
DON KNABE PEDIATRIC ARTS PROGRAM CELEBRATES ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY (February 2006)
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center announced that its new Pediatric Arts Program, which provides hands-on experience in the arts for youth ages 14 to 21, would be named in honor of Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. Hospital leaders cited his "unwavering support of Rancho, and particularly his support of Rancho's renowned art programs."
The Don Knabe Pediatric Arts Program, now in its second year, consists of training in music, fine arts and graphic arts for participants, all of whom experienced a catastrophic and disabling injury or illness as a child or a young adult. This innovative pediatric arts program was a team effort involving Rancho's Recreational Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Volunteer Programs and the Rancho Los Amigos Foundation. Funding for the program was provided by grants from the Annenberg Foundation and Supervisor Knabe.
Rancho graduate artists serve as course instructors for the young students, sharing life stories with the recently injured youth, inspiring their creativity and showing the students that they are capable of amazing accomplishments despite their injuries. "I couldn't be more pleased at the success of this arts program after only one year," said Supervisor Knabe. "It is truly amazing to see the look of accomplishment on the kids' faces, and I am truly honored that this program would be named after me."
NEW VIDEO INTERPRETER SYSTEM AT RANCHO EXPANDS LANGUAGE SERVICES TO PATIENTS
Recently Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center launched a new system that provides quick and easy access to language interpreter services for patients who have Limited English Proficiency. This system, called Video Medical Interpreter (VMI) allows participating hospitals and healthcare providers in the Health Care Interpreter Network (HCIN) to share language interpreters via video conference or phone, thereby expanding the number of language services that each hospital offers.
"Rancho has a very diverse patient population and about half are limited English proficient," said Lily Wong, Director of Rancho's Language and Culture Resource Center. "By improving patient-provider communication, VMI can improve quality of care, reduce medical errors, and increase patient satisfaction."
HCIN began pilot testing in August 2005 at Contra Cost Health Services, San Joaquin General Hospital, and San Mateo Medical Center where it conducted about 3,000 video conference or phone calls per month. Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center is the first hospital in Southern California to join HCIN and the first rehab hospital in the world to offer wireless VMI technology. "Implementation of VMI technology is a major step for the organization. The vision and support of our CEO, Valerie Orange, and our leadership team, is a critical ingredient in the success of this project," said Wong.
REPORTING SAFETY AND QUALITY CARE CONCERNS
In our ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and quality environment, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center encourages the public to report safety or quality concerns the center has not addressed. For more on how to report your concerns.
TEN GREAT REASONS TO CHOOSE RANCHO
- Pioneer in innovative research and treatment
- A national leader in outcomes for rehabilitation patients
- Rancho Los Amigos is consistently ranked among the top of all rehabilitation centers throughout the United States
- A forward looking philosophy encompasses education, research, innovation and change
- The Rancho Scale of Cognitive Functioning is used worldwide
- Highly motivated diagnosis driven team approach
- Model home that features high-tech adoptions for the physically disabled
- Self-sufficiency and independence as a goal for rehabilitation patients
- Teaching other caregivers is a tradition
- One of the most accomplished rehabilitation teams in the nation