Assisted living communities totaling 99 were among 590 long-term and post-acute care providers in 48 states that have earned 2019 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Awards from the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living.
The Bronze Award is the first of three distinctions possible through the AHCA / NCAL National Quality Award program, which is based on the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program.
“The recipients of the Bronze award are making it their mission to deliver quality care for our nation’s elders and individuals with disabilities,” AHCA / NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson said. “This year, we have more Bronze recipients than ever before, and I’m convinced that because of their commitment, our profession will continue to grow stronger and make a national impact.”
Last year, assisted living communities earned 114 of the 521 Bronze awards bestowed.
AHCA / NCAL implemented the National Quality Award Program in 1996. Providers begin the process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with fundamental performance elements, such as vision and mission statements and key strengths and challenges. Bronze applicants also must demonstrate their ability to implement a performance improvement system. Trained examiners review each application to determine whether the operator has met the demands of the criteria. Recipients then advance in the process.
The award program also has Silver and Gold levels, winners of which will be announced later. Recipient organizations will be honored during AHCA / NCAL’s 70th Annual Convention and Exposition, Oct. 13 to 15 in Orlando, FL.
