Vol XLII, May '10

2010 Evercare® Award Winner Royal Care Skilled Nursing Center

The Foundation recently sat down with Royal Care’s Executive Director Beth Garver to talk about this project, the award, and what both mean to the facility, staff, and residents.

Foundation: What was the motivation/impetus for this project?

Garver: Our goal and primary focus is to provide a holistic and comprehensive approach to recovery. We do this by gathering each member of our clinical team at the bedside routinely to solicit patient/family feedback and evaluate all aspects of care as to the current functioning level compared to past levels of functioning. By bringing the key players to the bedside along with the patient's chart, we are able to assess and evaluate treatment needs and interventions and collectively create an effective treatment plan for maximum functionality. We have seen great results in our customer satisfaction as this approach puts the patient at the center of our efforts and empowers them to be the driving force in their recovery.

Foundation: What does winning this award mean to you and your organization? How do you hope that it will help you move forward with your efforts in this area and spread the word to others?

Garver: It is very uplifting and validates our efforts to provide excellent care to our patients. We put a tremendous effort into preventing decline and maintaining quality of life and it is very affirming to be recognized for that effort. Our discharge-to-home numbers show the impact of this ongoing and constant assessment. We appreciate the opportunity to provide services to our patients and we take this responsibility very seriously and see each and every patient as an opportunity to make a difference in our community. I hope this recognition talks to others and encourages them to embrace this approach as it has proven to be very effective and creates a sense of team that incorporates the patient, family and clinical staff as one with a shared goal and focus.

Foundation: What do you hope to achieve through this project? What lessons would you like to share with others?

Garver: Improved and sustainable outcomes are always at the heart of what we do. Every action we take is focused on outcomes and satisfied customers. We want the community to see us as a resource of hope and action. We want to partner with our physicians, hospitals and assisted living sites to provide a continuum of appropriate and efficient care. We want to deliver this care with dignity focused on the individual patient's needs.

Click here for information about other AMDA Foundation/Evercare® Award winning projects.