National Quality Award Program

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​Member centers may apply for three progressive levels of awards: Bronze—Commitment to Quality, Silver—Achievement in Quality, or Gold—Excellence in Quality.  Each level has its own distinct rigors and requirements for quality and performance excellence. 
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Applications are judged by trained Examiners who provide feedback on opportunities for improvement to support continuous learning.


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 Bronze Award

About the Bronze Award

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 will assess their organization’s mission, vision, and key factors that lead to success. At this award level, utilizing the criteria questions applicants develop an organizational profile for their center. Applying for the AHCA/NCAL Bronze National Quality Award gives your organization a strong foundation for the second step—the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award​ level.  

Questions about the contents of this program may be directed to qualityaward@ahca.org. 

National Quality Award Renewal Policy

​​The National Quality Award Program’s Renewal Policy impacts all current and previous Quality Award recipients.

Under this policy, Bronze and Silver Quality Award recipients will have to stay engaged in their Quality Award journey in order to stay “active” within the program. 

All participating centers are responsible for reading and complying with the Renewal Policy. 

Download and read the full policy here.

 Bronze Application & Resources
Essential Resources
Supporting Documents

     2021 Bronze Key Dates
    Deadlines
    Intent to Apply (ITA)
    November 12, 2020
    Fee $75

     
    Application & Fee
    January 28, 2021
    Fee with ITA Submission $425
    Fee w/o ITA Submission $700

     
    Notification
    TBD

     Silver Award

    About the Silver Award

    ​The second step in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award. 

    At the Silver Award level, applicants continue to learn and develop effective approaches that help improve performance and health care outcomes. The Silver criteria, based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework, provide applicants with a thorough assessment of how their organization works, its effectiveness, and tools for improvement in their approaches. The Silver level gives a clear pathway for recipients moving to the highest honor of recognition, the Gold – Excellence in Quality Award. 

    Applicants must receive a Bronze – Commitment to Quality​ Award before applying at the Silver level. 

    Questions about the contents of this program may be directed to qualityaward@ahca.org. 

    National Quality Award Renewal Policy

    ​​The National Quality Award Program’s Renewal Policy impacts all current and previous Quality Award recipients.

    Under this policy, Bronze and Silver Quality Award recipients will have to stay engaged in their Quality Award journey in order to stay “active” within the program. 

    All participating centers are responsible for reading and complying with the Renewal Policy. 

    Download and read the full policy here​.

     Silver Application & Resources
    Essential Resources
    Supporting Documents
    Supporting Documents for Assisted Living
    • Potential Assisted Living Data Sources
      This resource is a list of potential data sources that Assisted Living providers may utilize to get comparative data.
    • Sample Silver Assisted Living Category 7 Results
      This resource is intended for assisted living applicants to help in identifying measures and comparisons. For complete guidelines on reporting results, applicants must review the guidelines for responding to results items and the comparative data statement available in the Silver application packet.

     2021 Silver Key Dates
    ​Deadlines
    Intent to Apply (ITA) 
    November 12, 2020
    Fee $150

     
    Application & Fee
    January 28, 2021
    Fee with ITA Submission $800
    Fee w/o ITA Submission $1350

    Notification
    TBD


     Gold Award

    About the Gold Award

    The final step in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is the Gold – Excellence in Quality Award. Recipients of the Gold Award are considered the best of the best in the profession.

    ​At the Gold Award level, applicants must show superior performance in areas of the criteria including leadership, strategic planning, and customer and staff satisfaction. By completing the Gold level criteria, organizations take their quality journey to a higher level through the valuable feedback received in the application process and thereby reaching organizational goals. Gold applicants address the Baldrige Excellence Framework in its entirety.

    Applicants are required to receive the Bronze – Commitment to Quality and Silver – Achievement in Quality​ Awards before applying at the Gold level. 

    Questions about the contents of this program may be directed to qualityaward@ahca.org. 

    Facility Spotlight

    National Quality Award Renewal Policy

    ​​The National Quality Award Program’s Renewal Policy impacts all current and previous Quality Award recipients.

    Under this policy, Bronze and Silver Quality Award recipients will have to stay engaged in their Quality Award journey in order to stay “active” within the program. 

    All participating centers are responsible for reading and complying with the Renewal Policy. 
    ​
    Download and read the full policy here​.​​

     Gold Application & Resources
    Essential Resources
    • 2021 Gold Application Packet
      This application packet includes information about the Gold Award, including eligibility requirements, and deadlines. Applicants must read this packet in full and purchase the 2019-2020 Health Care Criteria for Performance Excellence directly from the Baldrige Website.
    • 2021 Gold Criteria Series
    • Gold Readiness Self-Assessment Tool
      NEW! The Gold Readiness Self-Assessment will help leaders identify whether their organization is ready to apply for recognition as a Gold-level recipient of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award.
    • Baldridge: Insights to Performance Excellence 2019-2020
      Applicants must purchase the 2019-2020 Healthcare for Performance Excellence criteria directly from the Baldridge website
    Supporting Documents
    Supporting Documents for Assisted Living
    • Potential Assisted Living Data Sources
      This resource is a list of potential data sources that Assisted Living providers may utilize to get comparative data.
    • Sample Gold Assisted Living Category 7 Results
      This resource is intended for assisted living applicants to help in identifying measures and comparisons. For complete guidelines on reporting results, applicants must review the guidelines for responding to results items and the comparative data statement available in the Gold application packet.

     2021 Gold Key Dates
    ​Deadlines
    Intent to Apply (ITA)
    November 12, 2020
    Fee $300

     
    Application & Fees
    January 28, 2021
    Fee with ITA Submission $3,700
    Fee w/o ITA Submission $5,000
     
    Notifications
    Site Visit Notification 
    TBD

     
    Recipients Announced
    TBD

     2021 Program Dates

    November 12, 2020 - 8PM EST​
    Intent to Apply (ITA) Deadline

    January 28, 2021 - 8PM EST
    Application Deadline 

     Quality Award Portal

     About the Program

     Questions?
    Feel free to contact us with any questions you have about the program or the application process!

     Applicant Resources
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     Resources and Info

     Baldrige Resources

     Thank You to Our Sponsors


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