VHS Awards

- Back

Highland Park Care Center to Receive National Award for Commitment to
Continuous Quality Improvement

Alliance, Nebraska
June 16, 2006

Reflective of the national movement within the long term care profession that has improved quality care for the frail, elderly, and disabled, Highland Park Care Center will receive a Step II award for quality achievement from the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center For Assisted Living (NCAL). Highland Park Care Center is one of only 12 facilities in the nation to achieve this level of recognition within the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award program, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to a systematic process to achieve continuous quality improvement.

“The AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards are the single most prestigious recognition of quality within the long term care profession,” stated AHCA/NCAL President and CEO, Bruce Yarwood. “This facility’s achievement places it at the forefront of organizational and performance excellence, where the mission of exceptional care for the elderly is embraced and vigorously pursued.”

Continued Yarwood, “Highland Park Care Center’s achievement shows that dedicated frontline caregivers, administrators, nurses and physicians – in the face of daunting challenges within long term care – are demonstrating their commitment to quality of care and meeting patients’ needs.” The Quality Awards are part of AHCA/NCAL’s Quality First initiative, a covenant for healthy, affordable and ethical long term care.

AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards consist of an entry level, Step I Award; a more rigorous Step II Award; and the comprehensive Step III Award. Previously, Highland Park Care Center earned the Step I award. Recipients at the Step II level addressed in detail leadership, strategic planning, data collection and analysis, human resource development, etc. Step I applicants who earned the award demonstrated an organization-wide commitment to a resident-focused vision and mission statement, conducted customer satisfaction surveys and had data to demonstrate that customer expectations were being met.

The AHCA/NCAL Quality Award is modeled after criteria from the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s premier recognition for quality achievement. The AHCA/NCAL award recognizes commitment to a continuous quality improvement process at nursing facilities, assisted living residences, and residences for persons with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. The facilities selected have made customer satisfaction and quality outcomes their top priority.

The national presentation for award recipients is planned during AHCA/NCAL’s Annual Convention and Exposition October 8-11, 2005 in San Antonio, TX. The awards are sponsored by McKesson Medical-Surgical, a leading distributor of medical supplies and equipment to physician practices, surgery centers, hospitals, home care, and extended care facilities, and they are a valued AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Member.

- Back