Physical Restraint Performance Award
AFMC recognizes the following nursing home facilities for outstanding work in reducing physical restraints during the 9th Scope of Work. These three facilities not only accomplished being restraint-free but also sustained that for at least 30 months of the 36-month participation agreement. The mainspring of this work can be contributed to the complete determination of the entire staff to embrace and encourage the "no restraint necessary" philosophy to all residents without regard to past history or disease challenge. These homes truly represent evidence-based best practice models for the state and nation.
Byrd Haven Nursing Home, Searcy
Fountain Lake Health and Rehabilitation, Hot Springs Village
White Hall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, White Hall
The following facilities are recognized for achieving restraint-free status for a minimum of 12 months. Their ability to achieve this goal is the result of hard work, determination and education/training being embraced by every staff member working in these homes. Again, these homes implemented evidence-based, best-practice models and never looked back, only forward.
The Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hot Springs
Newport Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Newport
Stone County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Mountain View
Fayetteville Veteran’s Home, Fayetteville
Mitchell’s Nursing Home, Danville
Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Siloam Springs
High-Risk Pressure Ulcer Performance Award
Timberlane Health and Rehabilitation, El Dorado
Timberlane Health and Rehabilitation is the only facility that accomplished a 100 percent improvement in the high-risk pressure ulcer project. At one point, this facility had a quality measure rate of 24 percent. Aided by facility administration that placed a high importance on eliminating acquired pressure ulcers and healing the admitted pressure ulcers, this facility set up processes and procedures to accomplish this goal and refused to accept anything short of success. This same attitude was pervasive throughout the direct care and support staff. This facility’s success story in achieving a zero rate in high-risk residents acquiring a pressure ulcer upon entering the nursing home is truly inspiring and a model for all.
Sheridan Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Sheridan
Sheridan Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center achieved an amazing 87 percent improvement with its facility high-risk pressure ulcer quality measure rate. With a past pressure ulcer rate of 20 percent, this facility worked diligently to put in place evidence-based best practice processes and trained its staff to ensure success. Again, the adoption of an expectation of success by the administration and the staff’s involvement were keys to their ability to achieve such a high rate of improvement.
Pine Lane Therapy and Living Center, Mountain Home
Pine Lane Therapy and Living Center achieved an impressive 71 percent improvement in its high-risk pressure ulcer quality measure rate. With a past history of rates as high as 33 percent, this facility was able to lower its rate to under 8 percent by the end of the measurement period. Looking at current facility processes and making necessary changes in line with an evidence-based best practice model, the facility was able to achieve this impressive result.
Ozark Health Nursing Center, Clinton
Ozark Health Nursing Center achieved a 62 percent improvement in its high-risk pressure ulcer quality measure rate. Again, as with previous facilities, Ozark Health Nursing Center had a history of high-risk pressure ulcer rates as high as 31 percent. The final work period rate of 8.7 percent was a direct result of implementing of evidence-based best practice protocols, education and training for staff and high expectations of staff compliance. The facility was thus able to reach its goal of being under the national and state average for high-risk pressure ulcer quality measure rates.
Culture Change Award
Courtyard Gardens Health and Rehabilitation, LLC, Arkadelphia
Courtyard Gardens Health & Rehab has touched the lives of countless residents, their families and the community through its commitment to enhancing health care from the resident’s perspective. Its staff has embraced culture change by transforming the way they care for elders by valuing choice, dignity, respect, self-determination and purposeful living. One example of culture change in action can be seen in the flexible dining program that encourages fellowship through family, restaurant- or buffet-style dining, where all departments have a hand on deck.
Courtyard Gardens recognizes that people need opportunities for camaraderie, laughter and creativity. This is evident in the "Art is Ageless" program, which inspired residents to try something new by expressing themselves through painting. The art was featured during Gallery Walk in Hot Springs and was hosted by Arkansas Health Care Foundation’s Caring Through Art program. Two residents who received awards will have their art featured in a calendar this year.
Activities that include working with children, the senior citizens center, participating in annual Alzheimer’s walks, saluting veterans, fishing, quilting and trips to the zoo have had a far-reaching effect in the residents’ quality of life while offering opportunities for personal growth, self-expression and fulfillment of individual dreams.
Lonoke Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Lonoke
Lonoke Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is working to change the way it cares for elders. What began as training through Eden Alternative in 2007 has blossomed into a culture change journey that centers on person-directed care. The voice of the resident is not just considered, but implemented through "Learning Circle" meetings. These learning circles have empowered staff, residents and the community, where everyone plays an active role in creating an environment that is healing and nurturing.
Great steps have been made to ensure the resident comes before the task. So when residents suggested buffet-style dining, a flexible dining program followed. Soon after that, residents were sending invites for the staff to dine with them, and then a dining room renovation started. From the dining room renovations, the naming of halls, to the outreach programs with Newberry Court Senior Living Apartments, residents and staff at Lonoke Nursing and Rehab are working together to redefine home life in a nursing facility.
Salem Place Nursing and Rehab, Conway
Salem Place Nursing and Rehab is committed to providing opportunities for the pursuit of happiness for their residents. Salem Place Nursing and Rehab has shown this belief by allowing residents choices about their daily care and community lifestyles. The staff at Salem Place Nursing and Rehab have themed their culture change efforts with "There’s no place like home." Through staff education, the faculty changed the staff philosophy of care management to become focused on the needs and well-being of their residents.
One of the first implementation steps was buffet meals. The facility instituted a buffet-style meal, which allows the residents to choose different meats, vegetables, desserts and drinks. Dessert is served off of a dessert cart, and meals are served on china plates. This has increased meal attendance in the dining area, which increased socialization among the residents.
Salem Place Nursing and Rehab also recognized that the male population in facility was a minority and most social activities are female-oriented. The day area was renovated to become the "man cave." A pool hall was set up on one side of the room and a game/TV theme was selected for the other side. The community became involved, and local athletes donated jerseys and sports memorabilia.
Salem Place Nursing and Rehab feels it’s important to inform the community about culture change and person-directed care and include them with their efforts. Because "There’s no place like home."
Innovator Award
Heritage of Hot Springs Health and Rehabilitation, Hot Springs
Heritage of Hot Springs Health and Rehabilitation is recognized for its innovative work in developing a new respiratory transitional care unit in their facility. This development was a result of a vision of improving resident comfort and care during the transition of care between provider settings. This service is used as a model effort for other facilities within the corporate organization and will provide valuable information to other facilities looking to incorporate this service in their facilities. This innovative effort also opened the door for another opportunity to further develop partnerships with community health care providers and caregivers needing education and training in this area of care.
Pine Hills Health and Rehabilitation, Camden
Pine Hills strives to be the innovative nursing facility in their area. To achieve this, Pine Hills Health and Rehabilitation offers capabilities that are unique to its care, which includes: a licensed Alzheimer unit; a VA contract; bariatric beds; IV therapy; and the newest therapeutic modality equipment, such as shortwave diathermy, therapeutic ultrasound, Omni cycle Elite and electrical neuromuscular stimulators to meet its patients’ specific needs. Pine Hills can help with relief with edema, decrease in joint stiffness, increased blood flow, pain management, urinary incontinence, stroke recovery and joint replacement by using these different therapeutic modalities.
Pine Hills Health and Rehabilitation believes in offering excellent resident care and providing the best resident quality of life. Their staff take "PRIDE" — passion, respect, integrity, dedication and excellence in their facility.
Pine Lane Therapy and Living Center, Mountain Home
Pine Lane Therapy and Living Center is recognized for its innovative work in developing multiple areas of elder help and personal needs organization within their community. This development was a result of a looking at the needs of the community’s elderly population proactively and finding and implementing solutions before they come to the nursing home. Financial planning classes, participation in events such as Project Life Saver, the Christian Clinic community dinner, the Arkansas Drug Redistribution Program and volunteer work with the local Twin Lakes Ostomy Club are some of the activities undertaken by the center. This innovative effort also opened the door for another opportunity to further develop partnerships and safety networks with other elderly community health care providers.
Culture Change and Innovator Award Recipients
Cabot Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Cabot
Cabot Nursing and Rehabilitation Center made fundamental changes in values and practices to create holistic and supportive end-of-life experiences for residents and families. Cabot Nursing and Rehabilitation Center partnered with Arkansas Hospice to create a fully furnished room with private bath for the residents. Families are encouraged to attend to their loved one and support is given by staff. A walk-in shower with private bath is provided for families, along with meal service.
Cabot Nursing and Rehabilitation Center also initiated a fall prevention program with the assistance of its therapy department. With different modalities, including the Dyno Ergo Scoot Chair, Cabot Nursing and Rehabilitation Center was able to reduce falls at the facility and share its success with sister facilities. The director of nursing developed assessment forms to help assess the physical and cognitive abilities of residents for those wishing to use kitchen equipment.
Cabot Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has enhanced the satisfaction of residents by fostering a culture in which the resident and families come first.
Three Rivers Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Marked Tree
The staff at Three Rivers Healthcare and Rehabilitation understands culture change is a progressive way of thinking that is becoming the new standard of care for residents, not the exception to the rule. Respect is given to each individual regardless of age, medical condition or limitations. "Vacation in Our Own Backyard" is an activity program that offers a range of options to support an individual’s autonomy, lifestyle and interest, where residents play an active role in where they would like to go within the community. This program empowered residents, developed bonds with all involved and provided emotional support to alleviate anxiety while adding to quality of life.
The activity program provided socialization and interaction. Some of the places visited were: the Memphis Zoo, a Memphis Redbirds Game, Graceland, Southland Greyhound Park, the Northeast Arkansas District Fair, Parkin Archeological State Park, USA Museum and Painted House in Lepanto.
The seeds of innovation continue at Three Rivers Healthcare and Rehabilitation, where the staff are actively involved in promoting Alzheimer’s awareness and continue to be the community’s referral source. While their main goal is to promote awareness, educate and empower caregivers and family members, the staff still finds time to participate in the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
Three Rivers plays a leading role in promoting Alzheimer’s awareness by partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association; State Rep. Butch Wilkins, who chairs the Alzheimer’s Task Force; and local agencies such as geriatricians, local home health providers and geri-psych facilities; and the Poinsett Democrat Tribune, the local newspaper. Three Rivers provides access to resources and leadership for the whole community.