News About Kindred People and Places
Here are some current happenings at Kindred facilities across the country.
Northwest District Earns Second Deficiency-Free Survey in 30 Days!
By Rick Freitas, MS CCC-SLP
District Director of Sales Development
Queen Anne Healthcare Center (Seattle, WA) recently received the distinction
of a deficiency-free state survey. This does not come easily in Washington,
where only 4% of state's Skilled Nursing Facilities ever see the words
"deficiency free" on a yearly basis. Queen Anne had come close
in previous surveys only having one minor tag in both of the last two
years.
The staff at Queen Anne, as they are daily, were prepared for the time
when the survey team came for their yearly visit. It is always a tense
time, but the team which includes Executive Director Heather Eacker was
very confident. Director of Nursing Services Sharon McGuyer said, "It's
a great feeling!" District Director of Operations Gwynn Rucker and
District Director of Clinical Operations Merry Meyer brought roses for
the RN stations and apple cider/champagne for all other staff to enjoy
with their celebrations.
Earlier in the month Sunnyside Care Center (Salem, OR) had their second
deficiency free survey in six months. The District Team would like to
congratulate both Queen Anne and Sunnyside for their great accomplishments.
Kindred Hospital Albuquerque
Kindred Hospital Albuquerque recently became the first hospital in New
Mexico to have its Respiratory Care Department recognized as a Quality
Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) Long Term Acute Care Center for 2007.
This recognition is awarded on behalf of the American Association for
Respiratory Care (AARC) and presented to long-term acute care hospitals
that have met conditions that will assure the citizens of New Mexico will
receive the highest standards of respiratory care. These 12 stringent
standards ensure that patients will receive 24-hour-a-day care from a
licensed / credentialed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) who practices
under the direction of a Medical Director.
It also recognizes our standard of maintaining care plans, having an established
Respiratory QA/PI program, having a preventative maintenance program for
equipment, doing patient assessments every shift, and making clinical
recommendations on behalf of our patients. Patients will be able to log
onto YourLungHeath.org for a complete list of the criteria as well as
a state by state listing of all qualifying hospitals.
"We look forward to continuing the process of providing the highest
standard of care that our patients expect and that our patients deserve,"
CEO Laura Wills said. "We appreciate the AARC for recognizing the
efforts put forth by Kindred Albuquerque to promote our patient’s
satisfaction and outcomes."
Jessica Clark, Certified Nursing Assistant
Northhaven Health Care
Knoxville, TN
By Keith Mandrell, Executive Director
On Apr. 26, CNA Jessica Clark attended the Caring Hearts Luncheon sponsored
by the East Tennessee Alzheimer's Association. Jessica was recognized
for being a dedicated caregiver for those with the disease. Attending
the luncheon with Jessica were Assistant Director of Nursing Cindy McBride,
RN, and Director of Nursing Ashley Mathis, RN.
Certified Nursing Assistants and Personal Care Assistants provide the
most basic care to persons who suffer from dementia and live in a care
facility. While many of these caregivers do outstanding work in this difficult
endeavor, sometimes they remain unrecognized.
The Alzheimer’s Association honors these unsung caregivers at their
annual Caring Hearts Recognition Program. Caring Hearts honors nursing
assistants who provide outstanding compassionate care for individuals
with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as caregivers who are nominated
by their peers or supervisor. Only one caregiver from each facility can
be nominated.
Bay Area Tampa’s Respiratory Department: Team Efforts
Toward Excellence
The Respiratory Therapy Department at Kindred Hospital Bay Area - Tampa
(KHBAT) continues to strive toward high quality patient care and improvements
in patient safety. The department, led by Tim Luba, MHA, MS, and member
of Kindred’s Corporate Expert Ventilator Panel, has recently joined
other Kindred hospitals in achieving the Quality Respiratory Care Recognition
Award from the American Association for Respiratory Care. KHBAT's Respiratory
follows an interdisciplinary team approach to patient care and feels that
communication and collaboration are key in promoting positive patient
outcomes.
"Quality care is simple: WE CARE... not only about our patients,
but about all of our customers," Miguel Bustillos, BS, RRT, and Tampa
Respiratory Supervisor said. He has recently published an article in the
Feb. 5, 2007 issue of ADVANCE for Respiratory Care Practitioners entitled,
"The Influenza Virus: Learning How to Tackle Common Strains Will
Help in the Battle Against Bird Flu."
KHBAT's Respiratory is more like a family whose caring isn’t limited
to the walls of the hospital. They also take part in caring for the community
and schools. This past year, Maryellen White, RRT, led a team to walk
with the American Lung Association to raise money for asthma research.
And Miguel teaches Kindred’s examples of high quality care as he
serves as adjunct faculty at Hillsborough Community College's Respiratory
Care Program.
Having fun both at work and in the community, it’s no wonder we
love being part of this team.
