| Get to Know Quality Award Provider St. Otto's Care Center in MN | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Getting-to-Know-a-Quality-Award-Provider---St.-Otto's-Care-Center,-Little-Falls,-MN.aspx | Get to Know Quality Award Provider St. Otto's Care Center in MN | | | | | 4/18/2023 4:00:00 AM | | <p><a href="https://stottos.org/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">St. Otto's Care Center</a> in Little Falls, Minnesota, has been committed to the Quality Award journey since being introduced to the Baldrige Framework in 2014. Since then, the family-owned 91-bed skilled nursing center has been recognized with a Silver Award in 2018 and Bronze Award in 2016 for demonstrating systematic improvements in quality and performance through the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) <a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">National Quality Awards Program</a>, which recognizes long term care facilities that meet progressively rigorous standards of performance. St. Otto's Care Center is currently working on the Gold Award level of the program, the final of three distinct milestones in the program that generally takes years to achieve.<br></p><ul style="color:#555555;font-size:14.6667px;"><li>2018 National Silver Quality Award</li><li>2016 National Bronze Quality Award<br></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>Danna Potter, LNHA, LALD, LSW, </strong></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>Administrator of St. Otto's Care Center</strong>, shares the inspiration behind the center's commitment to strive for quality excellence and gives her advice on taking the next step.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><br></p><p><img src="/News-and-Communications/Blog/PublishingImages/Pages/Getting-to-Know-a-Quality-Award-Provider---St.-Otto%27s-Care-Center,-Little-Falls,-MN/Danna%20Potter%20Administrator.png" alt="Danna Potter Administrator.png" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin:5px;width:180px;height:180px;" /></p><strong><div><strong style="font-size:11pt;">How did you get into long term care?</strong><br></div></strong><br><p>I went to school to be a social worker. I interned at a nursing home and fell in love! That experience started my career as a long term care social worker in 2001. In January 2013, I joined St. Otto's Care Center as a licensed social worker. After 20 years as a long term care social worker, I decided to venture out and get my Administrator license, which I obtained in 2021. I have been the current administrator at St. Otto's Care Center for 16 months. </p><strong><div><strong><br></strong></div>What started the Quality Award journey for your center?</strong> <br><br><a href="https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/publications/baldrige-excellence-framework" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">The Baldrige Framework</a> was dropped on my desk in 2014 without any explanation. After researching the Baldridge Framework and what it meant, we applied for the Bronze level in 2015, and in 2016 we earned the award. The framework opened our minds and helped us see a bigger picture of our organization and how systematic processes are vital for our success. After receiving the Bronze award, we worked on systems within the organization, and when we felt we were ready, we applied for the Silver award. In 2018, St. Otto's earned the Silver award. As an independent family-owned organization, we were challenged with time, resources, and team members to assist in writing the Silver application. The application was intense, and spending hours with one other team member feeling like we were writing a thesis paper, became our drive to continue to strive for excellence within the organization. <br><br><strong>What has the award meant to you and your team?</strong><br><br>It is not about the award, but the knowledge and skills learned throughout our journey. Sharing our success with team members has been gratifying. Helping team members understand how their daily contribution to the organization goes far beyond the daily grind of their job and the organization's walls. Showing team members where we are now and where we were is a reward that gives us a sense of pride and purpose. Someone once told me, 'Danna, you can't save the world,' and I always say, 'well, at least I can try.' <br><br><strong>What are the lessons you have learned along the way?</strong><br><br>Slow and steady is the key. Focus on one area at a time; otherwise, it becomes too overwhelming. Keep it simple, answer the questions, and don't second guess yourself. <br><br><strong>What advice would you give to a provider considering applying for an award but unsure?</strong><br><br>I would take the bull by its horns and do it. Start with the Bronze and see what your organizational profile looks like. Sharing just that with our team provided a snapshot of who you are and what your organization is trying to accomplish. The Baldridge journey is a great opportunity. It will not be easy; if it is, you are doing it wrong. <br><br><strong>Do you plan to continue the journey and apply at the next level, and why?</strong> <br><br>Yes. We have been working on the Gold level on and off for two years. We focus on one area at a time. Organizational improvement does not happen overnight. It takes time. It is not about getting the physical award, and it's not about becoming a 5-star rated organization. It's about system improvements and providing the best care to maintain our mission, vision, and values. <br><br>--------------------------------------<br><br><div>Are you a National Quality Award provider? We want to hear from you! <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7M6L6ZQ" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">Share your story with us</a>.<br>Visit the <a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">National Quality Award</a> website for more information about the upcoming application year.<br><p><br></p></div> | | |
| Dr. Mark Blazey, AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Judge, Named Recipient of Baldrige Foundation Leadership Award | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Dr--Mark-Blazey,-AHCANCAL-Quality-Award-Judge,-Named-Recipient-of-Baldrige-Foundation-Leadership-Award.aspx | Dr. Mark Blazey, AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Judge, Named Recipient of Baldrige Foundation Leadership Award | | | | | 3/29/2023 4:00:00 AM | | <p><br></p><p>Dr. Mark L. Blazey, retired President of Quantum Performance Group, Inc. is being recognized by the Baldrige Foundation as a recipient of the Baldrige Foundation Leadership Award in the “Business” category. <br><br></p><p style="text-align:center;"> <img src="/PublishingImages/sponsor_headshots/MarkBlazeyImage.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /><br></p><p><span style="font-size:11pt;">“Dr. Blazey has had an incredible influence on the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program through his service as a past Judge, Examiner trainer, Quality Award Board member, and advocate,” said Holly Harmon, Senior VP, Quality, Regulatory & Clinical Services. “In our program, Dr. Blazey played a pivotal role in revamping our Examiner training, standardizing elements of our review process, and helping recruit other Baldrige experts in serving as Examiners and Judges. His impact on our organization’s program is hard to measure, and we are thrilled to learn of this special recognition of Dr. Blazey’s work to improve quality care.” <br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>Dr. Blazey has an extensive background helping organizations achieve top levels of performance excellence. He served as a senior examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award from 1995 to 1999 and served as a national alumni examiner in 2013. Dr. Blazey served on the Baldrige Panel of Judges for the education pilot project to expand coverage of the Baldrige criteria to the education sector. <br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>The Foundation Awards for Leadership Excellence recognize leaders who “provide exceptional support to Baldrige and the Foundation’s mission, helping to sustain Baldrige into the future the future, and promoting the positive impact of Baldrige on organizational and community success,” according to the Baldrige Foundation’s </span><a href="https://baldrigefoundation.org/news-resources/press-releases.html/article/2023/01/17/baldrige-foundation-announces-2023-leadership-award-recipients" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank" style="font-size:11pt;">website</a><span style="font-size:11pt;">. As a recipient, Dr. Blazey is recognized as an individual who has contributed outstanding service on a sustained basis and demonstrated personal dedication and self-sacrifice in support of the mission of the Baldrige Foundation to support organizational performance excellence in the United States and throughout the world. <br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>In addition to his work supporting the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Program for over 10 years in various capacities, Dr. Blazey served as a judge for the Wisconsin Forward Award, and lead judge for the United States Army Communities of Excellence Award, and the quality awards for New York, Delaware, Vermont, and Aruba. Dr. Blazey has written books and articles on quality and organizational performance improvement including the American Society for Quality–Quality Press’s best seller Insights to Performance Excellence for Business, Insights to Performance Excellence in Education, and Insights to Performance Excellence in Health Care. He is a senior member and Certified Quality Auditor of the American Society for Quality. <br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br>To learn</span><span style="font-size:11pt;"> more about the AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards Program, please visit the program </span><a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank" style="font-size:11pt;">website</a><span style="font-size:11pt;">. </span></p> | Dr. Mark L. Blazey, retired President of Quantum Performance Group, Inc. is being recognized by the Baldrige Foundation as a recipient of the Baldrige Foundation Leadership Award in the “Business” category. | |
| Kickstart the Quality Award Application Year at Quality Summit in May | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Kickstart-the-Quality-Award-Application-Year-at-Quality-Summit-in-May.aspx | Kickstart the Quality Award Application Year at Quality Summit in May | | | | | 3/28/2023 4:00:00 AM | | Join long term care providers and National Quality Award recipients planning to <span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:107%;font-family:helvetica, sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;">pursue</span> a National Quality Award this year at AHCA/NCAL's <a href="/Education-Events/Quality-Summit/Pages/default.aspx?utm_source=ahcancal_homepage&utm_medium=main_rotator&utm_campaign=QS" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]">Quality Summit</a> May 22-24, 2023, in Grapevine, Texas. <br><br>Learn from and network with quality experts and peers focused on the quality journey. Attendees will come away having gained a greater degree of knowledge about the latest topics and trends, including the nationally recognized Baldrige approach to improving performance outcomes, the foundation of the <a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]">National Quality Award</a> program. From “Improving Residents and Staff Outcomes in Assisted Living" and “The Interplay of Baldrige and QAPI" on Monday, May 22, to the popular “Bronze Quality Award Train the Trainer Workshop" on Wednesday, May 24, there is something for everyone!<br> <br>Be inspired by this year's opening keynote speaker. <a href="/Education-Events/Quality-Summit/Documents/2023%20Speaker%20Bio.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]">Kathy Raethel</a>, former President and CEO of Adventist Hospital, will share her guiding philosophy on “Why Love Matters" that led Adventist Hospital to achieve the nation's highest honor for performance excellence in 2019, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. <br><br>Plan to attend and soak up as much as you can at AHCA/NCAL's quality event of the year, Quality Summit. For a complete list of sessions, visit the Quality Summit <a href="/Education-Events/Quality-Summit/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]">website</a>. <br><br><a href="/Education-Events/Quality-Summit" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]"><strong>Online registration </strong></a><strong> is open. The deadline to register is May 11.</strong><br><br><strong>HIGHLIGHTS</strong><br><br><strong>Monday, May 22, 2023 </strong><br><strong>2:00 p.m. CT</strong><br><strong>Improving Resident & Staff Outcomes in Assisted Living</strong><br>Why do we work in long term care? The answer is simple. We are here to support the residents and provide them with the best quality of life, and care, for however long they have with us while we continuously try to improve outcomes. How can we improve the outcomes for residents as well as staff? Again, the answer is simple. Facilities must be engaged in continuous quality improvement efforts, data collection, and system improvement processes. This session will be aimed at improving resident and staff outcomes through exploration of data collection, continuous systems improvement, and the quality journey.<br><br><strong>Speakers</strong>: Lisa Zeis, SLP, MS, Senior Director of Quality and Experience, Lifespark Senior Living; Pamela Truscott, DNP/HSL, MSN/ED, RN, CA-L, DNS-CT, QCP, RAC-CT, CDP, Director, Quality Improvement, National Center for Assisted Living.<br> <br><strong>Monday, May 22, 2023 </strong><br><strong>3:30 pm CT</strong><br><strong>The Interplay of Baldrige and QAPI</strong><br>The Baldrige framework is a set of nationally recognized criteria that helps businesses improve performance. A fundamental principle of the Baldrige framework is the idea of systems-based continuous quality improvement. This goes hand in glove with the concepts of QAPI. During this session, the presenters will share how the implementation of the Baldrige criteria into a facilities organization will enrich and support their QAPI plan. Further, the presenters will provide resources and action items to help facilities create, implement, refine, and sustain their QAPI plan.<br><br><strong>Speakers</strong>: Tammy Kelly, PT, LNHA, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, Director of RAI & Clinical Reimbursement, CCR, Inc.; Stacey Hord, CCC-SLP, LNHA, Chief Business Development Officer, Associated Care Ventures, Inc.<br> <br><strong>Monday, May 22, 2023 </strong><br><strong>3:30 pm CT</strong><br><strong>Hardwiring Excellence with High Performing Teams</strong><br>Deb G. Fournier, Gero-RN, MSB, of Fournier's Oceana LLC, will describe and review the required elements for hardwiring excellence in long term care. Fournier will discuss strategies and share tools used in two organizations that achieved national quality recognition. The session will highlight critical factors that create a climate for attaining high performance in a facility and share how she used the performance excellence framework to align systems.<br><br><strong>Speaker</strong>: Deb G. Fournier, Gero-RN, MSB, CHC, CPHQ, CIP, NHA, Owner, Health Care Executive, Fournier's Oceana LLC<br> <br> <strong>Tuesday, May 23</strong><br><strong>9:30 am CT</strong><br><strong>Opening Keynote "Why Love Matters"</strong> <br>Opening keynote speaker <a href="/Education-Events/Quality-Summit/Documents/2023%20Speaker%20Bio.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]">Kathy Raethel </a>, former President and CEO of Adventist Hospital will share her guiding philosophy "Why Love Matters," which was key earning the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2019. <br><br><strong>Wednesday, May 24 </strong><br><strong>8:45 am CT</strong><br><strong>Bronze Quality Award Train the Trainer Workshop</strong><br>The first step in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award. The Bronze Award level provides applicants with the tools and resources they need for continuous improvement in quality care. Through the Bronze criteria, based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework, applicants assess their organization's mission, vision, and key factors that lead to success. Join this session to learn how to effectively facilitate a Bronze Quality Workshop using a case study, lectures, videos, sharing and feedback. This session is perfect for individuals responsible for providing applicant training or support.<br><br><strong>Speakers</strong>: Shauna Kapsner, Director of Education & Events, Care Providers; Urvi Patel, Senior Director, Quality Improvement, American Health Care Association; Pamela Truscott, DNP/HSL, MSN/ED, RN, C-AL, QCP, DNS-CT, RAC-CT, CDP, Director, Quality Improvement, National Center for Assisted Living; <br><br><strong>Wednesday, May 24 </strong><br><strong>10:15 am CT</strong><br><strong>Data Tracking and Trending – It's Not Just for SNFs Anymore!</strong><br>Assisted Living communities are no longer able to provide anecdotal information as a means of justification. Data to support the quality of care and services provided is becoming increasingly important. Unfortunately, data tracking and trending is still a new philosophy for many assisted living communities. This session will explore the benefits, rationales, and importance of tracking and trending data in assisted living.<br><br><strong>Speakers:</strong> Jennifer Svoboda, Director of Standards, Arete Living; Pamela Truscott, DNP/HSL, MSN/ED, RN, C-AL, QCP, DNS-CT, RAC-CT, CDP, Director, Quality Improvement, National Center for Assisted Living; KeShawn Heard (Franklin), Manager, LTC Trend Tracker & Quality, American Health Care Association.<br><br><strong>For a complete list of sessions, visit the Quality Summit </strong><a href="/Education-Events/Quality-Summit/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]"><strong>website</strong></a><strong>.</strong><br><br><strong>Thank you to Host Sponsor, </strong><a href="https://www.medline.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>Medline</strong></a><strong>, and Contributing Sponsors: </strong><a href="https://www.connectrn.com/partners" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>conncentRN</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.doyoukare.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>KARE</strong></a><strong>, </strong><div><a href="https://www.matrixcare.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>MatrixCare</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.omnicare.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>Omnicare</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://pharmerica.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>Pharmerica</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://pointclickcare.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>PointClickCare</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.reliant-rehab.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>Reliant Rehabilitation</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.reverencecare.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>Reverence</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.shiftkey.com/healthcare-facilities/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]"><strong>Shiftkey</strong></a><strong>,</strong></div><div><a href="https://www.shiftmed.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>ShiftMed</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.snapnurse.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>SnapNurse</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://snfmetrics.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]"><strong>SNF Metrics</strong></a><strong>, and </strong><a href="https://www.thecompliancestore.net/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>The Compliance Store</strong></a><strong>. </strong><br><strong></strong><br><br></div> | | |
| Quality – When in Doubt, Check it Out! | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Quality-–-When-in-Doubt,-Check-it-Out!.aspx | Quality – When in Doubt, Check it Out! | | | | | 3/2/2023 5:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div>Quality is something we know we should be doing, but sometimes it isn’t always clear about how to go about doing it. Quality improvement leads to better resident and staff outcomes. Yet, improvement can be challenging if you don’t have the right systems and processes set up. Quality improvement means having a dedicated plan for working through areas of weakness and opportunities. This includes having a formalized quality improvement and process improvement (QAPI) plan in place that also includes performance improvement projects (PIPs) and how to execute them. It means that you must have outcome measures and evaluation processes complete with who is being held accountable for the QAPI/PIP processes. </div><div> </div><div>For those who struggle with how to implement quality improvement, the<a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"> AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program</a> can help. The program can help your organization evaluate your strengths as well as your opportunities for improvement, identify the critical areas where improvement is needed, and implement a plan to help your facility be more resilient, stronger, and successful than ever before. The Quality Award program is a three-level program that evaluates your organization against the Baldrige Excellence Framework, a nationally recognized standard for performance excellence: The Bronze Quality Award provides you with a foundation for quality improvement. The Silver Quality Award builds on that foundation and helps you set up your quality improvement efforts. The Gold Quality Award extends those quality improvement efforts into striving for performance excellence in quality. It is never too early, or too late, to start your quality journey. You can learn more about the value of the program <a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Documents/QA_brochure.pdf.pdf?csf=1&%3be=DB0fDO" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">here</a>. </div><div> </div><div>While achieving the Quality Award is a great honor, the award itself is not what the program is about. Instead, it is about the ongoing, day-to-day steps towards performance excellence. Why would an organization settle for merely meeting the minimum standards required by regulation when that organization can rise above, provide the best care and services, and improve outcomes to their residents and staff by following the principles outlined in the Quality Award program? Quality improvement is not going away and we need to get in front of regulatory requirements. For your organization to succeed, you must look at quality and the data that supports the quality care and services you provide. Data is a key component of quality improvement and AHCA/NCAL has the resources you need to help you track data through LTC Trend Tracker. You can learn more about LTC Trend Tracker measures, turnover and retention, and CoreQ data <a href="/Data-and-Research/LTC-Trend-Tracker/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">here</a>. Quality – when in doubt, check it out! <br></div><div> </div><div>Read more about the value of the National Quality Award Program in the March 2023 issue of Provider magazine: </div><div><br></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://www.providermagazine.com/Issues/2023/Spring/Pages/The-Ripple-Effect-of-Benefits-Opportunities-That-Come-from-Quality-Awards.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">The Ripple Effect of Benefits, Opportunities That Come from Quality Awards</a> </li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><a href="https://www.providermagazine.com/Issues/2023/Spring/Pages/National-Quality-Award-Program-Lays-the-Groundwork-for-QAPI.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">National Quality Award Program Lays the Groundwork for QAPI </a></span></li></ul></div><div><br></div><div> <span style="font-size:11pt;">The AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Program is proudly sponsored by Pinnacle, PharMerica and HealthCap.</span></div> | Quality is something we know we should be doing, but sometimes it isn’t always clear about how to go about doing it. | |