Crowne chosen for improvement initiative

Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 27, 2006

A local nursing home, Crowne Health Care of Greenville, has been selected to participate in the Alabama Nursing Home Quality Improvement Initiative.

Crowne is one of 34 nursing homes in the state chosen to be a part of the improvement initiative.

&#8220We will be working hand in hand with AQAF, Alabama's Medicare Quality Improvement Organization. We are so excited to be able to participate in this,” Sandra Medley, admissions coordinator and marketing director for Crowne of Greenville said.

The local facility voluntarily applied to participate in the program. The goal is to improve the quality of residents' care and the quality of work life at participating nursing homes.

&#8220Our aim is to create a resident-centered model, where we as a staff work our schedules, programs and activities around their needs rather than what is most expedient for us.

&#8220The goal is to make our residents as comfortable, active and happy as possible while at Crowne,” Medley said.

Crowne Health Care of Greenville will also focus on staff turnover and empowerment as part of the initiative.

&#8220We want this to be a place people enjoy and look forward to working at. That means solid, enthusiastic leadership, something we are always working to have and improve upon,” Medley said.

The initiative will also seek to prevent pressure ulcers, reduce the use of restraints and improve the identification and management of depression and pain for residents.

&#8220As a facility, we already submit quarterly reports pertaining to these areas of treatment and we will continue to be vigilant in these areas,” Medley said.

&#8220We are fortunate to have this facility in a great town like Greenville. The fact we are participating shows our commitment to our residents, staff and the community.”

&#8220I commend Crowne Health for its commitment to qualify for its residents and staff,” Liz Prosch, AQAF manager of nursing home services said.