Advancing Excellence Campaign Update

VHCA (5/8/08)

Webinar on Consistent Assignment
The Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes campaign will conduct a technical assistance Webinar/teleconference, Consistent Assignment – The Practice and the Experience, on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.  The teleconference will demonstrate what consistent assignment is, why it works and how to do it.  Consistent assignment is a concrete step that providers can take toward building their quality culture and fosters stronger relationships between staff and residents, which helps to maximize the effectiveness of staff in serving the needs of residents and also increases staff satisfaction.  Members are encouraged to participate in the Webinar.  There is no charge but participants must register and follow the steps to print the handouts.  For more information and to register click here and see the Consistent Assignment listing in the News box.

Success Drives Decision to Continue the Advancing Excellence Campaign
The lead article in the April issue of The Campaign Advance e-newsletter reports that initial successes at measurable improving care for nursing home residents signaled the need to continue the campaign beyond its initial two-year period. The e-newsletter also features: information for consumers; details about how-to videos on the campaign’s Web site; a nursing home success story; and a report from a Local Area Network for Excellence (LANE). The Campaign Advance is available on the campaign’s website.

Advancing Excellence Steering Committee Chair Addresses Open Letter to Nursing Home Administrators
Mary Jane Koren, MD, MPH, Chair of the Advancing Excellence Steering Committee, characterized the campaign as “an exciting and effective quality improvement initiative.” She reported that the campaign “is starting to show the results of the efforts being made by nursing homes that have joined and are participating.” Koren is Assistant Vice President of The Commonwealth Fund’s Program on Quality of Care for Frail Elders. Click here to see her letter.