2019 PHCA Quality Award Winners

Improved Quality of Life for Residents

Sunrise Senior Living of McCandless

Sunrise of McCandless faced the problem of resident engagement and motivation to give back to others. They wanted to improve their Live with Generosity program at the community, specifically for the Memory Care Neighborhood. The program focused on encouraging seniors to give back as a way to maintain physical activity, mental health, and a sense of purpose. In coordination with the Generosity Program, the Star Fish Program promoting a safe and positive environment has been utilized to grow participation from 2 resident volunteers to 52 including residents, family members, and team members to enhance the quality of life.

Improved Person-Centered Care for Residents

Abramson Center for Jewish Life

Abramson Center for Jewish Life initiated the “All About Me Project” to enhance their processes for welcoming new admissions in the transition from the home to the nursing home setting. They developed a systematic approach to equipping direct care staff with information to assist with structuring the resident’s daily schedule in a way that was familiar and comfortable to them. Since program inception two years ago, internal benchmarks evolved to show tangible data to improved person-centered care. They have partnered with two university institutions, Scripps Gerontology Center, at the University of Miami in Ohio and Penn State Person Centered Systems in Living of Care.

Best Practice in Quality Workforce Development

Siemon’s Heritage Personal Care Center

Siemon’s Heritage Personal Care faced increased call-offs, number of vacant shifts, and amount of overtime resulting in decreased staff satisfaction and increased turnover rate. The need for improvement was identified through one-on-one and small group meetings with direct care staff as well as reviewing monthly QAPI meetings. Management and direct care staff worked closely as a team to create a schedule that satisfied employees and provided consistent quality

Best Practice in Providing High-Tech Quality Care

Providence Place of Drums

Residents at Providence Place of Drums reported that staff was unable to respond to them in a timely manner. They committed to making sure resident needs were met within 5 minutes, as well as staff responding in an emergency situation in under 5 minutes. Providence Place of Drums developed a plan that would ensure continuity through all levels of staff. They discuss trends, factors, and have been able to manage medical needs based on resident and staff feedback.

Best Practice in Integrating a Quality Culture

Schuylkill Center – Genesis HealthCare

Schuylkill Center identified a need to reduce the use of side rails and antipsychotics. The root cause that they identified was a lack of progressive thinking by staff, physicians and families. Schuylkill Center developed an interdisciplinary collaboration which included therapy, residents and families. They reviewed the benefits and risks associated with each intervention method and determine the best option for the resident. As a result of the interdisciplinary collaboration, the facility has seen a dramatic reduction in both the use of side rails and antipsychotics.

Best Systematic Approach to Quality in Assisted Living/Personal Care

Hopkins Center – Genesis HealthCare

For years the Quality Improvement process at Hopkins Center had remained stagnant and did not permit the free flow of ideas across disciplines. In February of 2018, they began their journey to improve their approach to quality and quality care by utilizing a new approach to QAPI. Center leadership guided and coached team members through 3 months of training to drive engagement. The plan has been sustainable with improvement in clinical outcomes, along with all staff working together to solve problems.