SIKESTON - Hunter Acres Caring Center, along with 80 other nursing homes across Missouri and hundreds across the nation, is participating in the Nursing Home Quality Initiative recently launched by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services. The NHQI combines health-care quality information for consumers and educational resources for nursing homes to improve the quality of care for residents.
MissouriPRO is providing no-cost, on-site visits, educational and technical assistance to Hunter Acres Caring Center and other Missouri nursing homes. MissouriPRO is the state's Medicare quality improvement organization. The participation in this national survey will help the nursing homes better manage residents' pain, the self-care of residents with loss of ability in daily tasks and those with pressure ulcers.
"Our mission has always been about providing the best care possible to our residents and this program can assist us to bringing the quality of our care to a new level," said Nancy Driskill, R.N., administrator for Hunter Acres Caring Center. "Plus we get an opportunity to share information and learn how other facilities are addressing the same issues."
Added Catherine Gill, MissouriPRO's director of nursing home and home health services: "The program initially focuses on improving these three clinical areas. but the advanced problem-solving skills the facilities learn through their participation in this program can be used in any area. Our overall goal is to assist providers as they strive to improve the quality of care in all Missouri nursing homes. Ensuring the health, safety and well being of Missouri's seniors is our top priority."
Persons with questions about the program can contact Hunter Acres Caring Center.