Skilled Nursing Facility Receives 2007 MI Award of Excellence for Second Consecutive Year

Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility has received MPRO’s, Michigan’s Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), prestigious 2007 Michigan Award of Excellence for Improving Care in the Nursing Home Setting. Spectrum Health was one of 35 nursing homes in the state of Michigan to have received the accolade for the area(s) of reducing pressure ulcers, identifying and reducing pain and identifying and managing depression.

The award focuses on working to improve the quality and safety of care in clinical areas such as:

Reducing Pressure Ulcers
Identifying and Reducing Pain
Reducing Physical Restraints
Identifying and Managing Depression

These topics have been designated as national healthcare priorities by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). For selected clinical topics, a nursing home must receive a 15% relative improvement rate in at least one clinical area from baseline to re-measurement to qualify for the award. In addition, highlights of Michigan Award of Excellence criteria include; a survey of resident and staff satisfaction, submission of an essay on lessons learned, and completion of self instructional modules on quality improvement initiatives.

The Skilled Nursing Facility staff established a multidisciplinary team to spearhead improvements using proven evidence-based practices to spur better outcomes. However, the organization’s dedication to an environment embodying elder centered care, focusing on improving the elder’s quality of life through a team approach can be credited for this accomplishment.

“As Michigan’s QIO, MPRO is proud to recognize nursing homes such as Spectrum Health Reed City Skilled Nursing Facility, that are embracing quality improvement and patient safety initiatives,” said Colleen Cieszkowski, interim CEO and president of MPRO. Ms. Cieszkowski added “The Michigan Award of Excellence denotes a commitment to excellence in the pursuit of providing the best care to every resident, each and every time.”

“Our staff worked as a team to set targets and develop strategies to accelerate notable improvements in resident care. Together, we are demonstrating that Reed City Skilled Nursing is continuously working to improve the quality and safety of the care we provide to our residents. Our efforts have been enhanced through our collaborations with MPRO and we are proud to be a recipient of this distinguished honor,” said Connie Hervey, administrator of skilled nursing and vice president of inpatient services for Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital.

MPRO held an awards ceremony and luncheon on Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan where Spectrum Health Reed City officially received the Michigan Award of Excellence.

Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility has earned the privilege of being only one of six Eden Alternative facilities in the state of Michigan with a 10 out of 10 star rating for implementing the Eden care philosophy and practice.